News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Fundraising to Connect Sicamous & Armstrong for 2023
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Fundraising Committee is raising funds to complete the trail connecting Sicamous and Armstrong for 2023. Each metre of trail surface costs $160 and with 50,000 metres to go, the fundraising goal is $8,000,000. Funds can help leverage government funding to address all the other layers.
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Fundraising Committee is raising funds to complete the trail connecting Sicamous and Armstrong for 2023. Each metre of trail surface costs $160 and with 50,000 metres to go, the fundraising goal is $8,000,000. Funds can help leverage government funding to address all the other layers.
This year, there are two tenders to begin construction of the rail trail: The first is the Enderby to Splatsin pilot section, and the second is the 20km stretch from Sicamous to Mara.
About the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail provides a connection between communities unfolding the true story within Secwépemc territory, protecting natural areas and habitat for wildlife, facilitating healthy outdoor recreational activities and travel options on foot and by bicycle, conserving heritage, cultural, & agricultural values, and encouraging recreational tourism in rural areas.
At just over 50 kilometres long, it will create a perfect opportunity for families to discover scenic landscapes with amenities along the way.
SASCU supports the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail with $50,000
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail celebrated Earth Day with an announcement of a $50,000 donation from Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (SASCU) Financial Group toward the construction of the rail trail.
In Splatsin history, the railway represented a division of land and a loss of resources. Projects such as this one provide an opportunity for all involved to partake in reconciliation and to work together towards a common goal.
The economic and land management benefits are the tip of the iceberg; the rail trail will promote a healthy lifestyle and exercise, family outings, the appreciation of nature and knowledge of the land as well as an improved understanding of the Secwepemc values and culture.
The announcement was made at Splatsin Community Centre where the first pilot section will be constructed between Splatsin and Enderby. The second section approved for construction will begin in Sicamous (km 0) to Mara (km 19.8) to address rock scaling, road crossings, bridge decking, safety signage, preliminary grading, and erosion.
The Capital Fundraising Campaign encourages corporate and community donors to support the rail trail project by making donations, as many grant applications require a matching financial commitment to qualify. All contributions are tax-deductible. Every dollar donated is leveraged for grants to construct additional kilometres on the rail trail.
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail celebrated Earth Day with an announcement of a $50,000 donation from Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union (SASCU) Financial Group toward the construction of the rail trail.
In Splatsin history, the railway represented a division of land and a loss of resources. Projects such as this one provide an opportunity for all involved to partake in reconciliation and to work together towards a common goal.
The economic and land management benefits are the tip of the iceberg; the rail trail will promote a healthy lifestyle and exercise, family outings, the appreciation of nature and knowledge of the land as well as an improved understanding of the Secwepemc values and culture.
The announcement was made at Splatsin Community Centre where the first pilot section will be constructed between Splatsin and Enderby. The second section approved for construction will begin in Sicamous (km 0) to Mara (km 19.8) to address rock scaling, road crossings, bridge decking, safety signage, preliminary grading, and erosion.
The Capital Fundraising Campaign encourages corporate and community donors to support the rail trail project by making donations, as many grant applications require a matching financial commitment to qualify. All contributions are tax-deductible. Every dollar donated is leveraged for grants to construct additional kilometres on the rail trail.
Phase Two of KVR Repairs Begin
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), wil be commencing phase two of trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Glenfir Station (above Naramata).
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), will be commencing Phase Two of trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Glenfir Station (above Naramata) on Monday September 13, 2021. The improvements will include capping the repaired subbase with a 3/4” minus aggregate to create a rideable trail tread and repair any drainage issues. This process is expected to be completed within a month. The public is asked to respect all crews, barriers, equipment and all posted signage for your personal and workers safety.
Trail after Phase One Completion
The first phase of the trail repair was completed in early summer of 2021. The improvements included brushing, grading, and raising the tread (trail surface) in certain areas that saw annual flooding along the approximately 16km section of the trail. Locations were identified by a professional Geotechnical Engineer and the project was done using heavy machinery.
Pre Work Condition of the Trail
Pre Work Condition of the Trail
TOTA is pleased to continue undertaking this work to create a better KVR experience. We would like to acknowledge the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure (CERIP) program funding, received through the Ministry of Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to enable TOTA to contribute to this project and implement these changes along the trail. We also appreciate the work that many have undertaken to improve the trail over the past many months, including the RDOS, RSTBC, Chute Lake Lodge and others.
First Phase of KVR Repairs Now Complete
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), is wrapping up the first phase of trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Glenfir Station (above Naramata).
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), has wrapped up the first phase of trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Glenfir Station (above Naramata). The improvements included brushing, grading and raising the tread (trail surface) in certain areas that saw annual flooding. Locations were identified by a professional Geotechnical Engineer and the project was done using heavy machinery.
Belleview Trestle
Phase 2 of the work will include capping of the sections that saw large rock aggregate being used to raise the tread of the flooding sections. Currently, the large aggregate is not ideal for cycling, however capping will take place in the coming month to complete the work for an improved trail experience along this section of the KVR. More details on phase 2 of the work will be updated when the work commences.
TOTA is pleased to continue undertaking this work to create a better KVR experience. We would like to acknowledge the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure (CERIP) program funding, received through the Ministry of Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to enable TOTA to contribute to this project and implement these changes along the trail. We also appreciate the work that many have undertaken to improve the trail over the past many months, including the RDOS, RSTBC, Chute Lake Lodge and others.
Section with Raised Tread
Section with Raised Tread