Public input will help guide the design of a long sought-after pedestrian connection between Salmon Arm and neighbouring First Nations.
In August, city council awarded preliminary design work of the proposed West Bay Connector Trail to ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the city made public conceptual images of the 6.5-kilometre trail and an outline of the work ahead.
The project, being done by the city in partnership with the Adams and Neskonlith bands, is proposed to extend from the west end of the concrete boardwalk in behind the Prestige Harbourfront Resort, through Neskonlith and Adams band lands to the northern edge of the Adams Lake Community, ending near Pierre's Point Road at 50 Ave NW.
A timeline for the design work shows the project beginning with a technical review, site visits and planning for community engagement (currently underway). The first round of engagement is expected to begin this fall, with a second round, focused on the trail's location and features, planned for the winter. A third round on the preliminary trail design is expected to take place early next year.
"Our project team will use community feedback, technical studies, and environmental, archaeological, and engineering guidelines to identify the location, alignment and features of the proposed trail and to create a draft preliminary design," reads the city's website. "This preliminary design will then be brought back to the community for review and feedback before the preliminary design is finalized."
In 2020, the project's partners signed a memorandum of understanding to work collectively on the trail. Since then, the project partners have received funding for the project's preliminary design phase, including $100,000 from the BC Rural Dividend Fund, $150,000 from BC Active Transportation grant and $60,000 from other community contributions.
Work ahead includes environmental and archaeological assessments. As for upcoming community engagement, public feedback will play an important role in the preliminary design process.
"Your feedback, insights, and experiences will help guide and inform the preliminary design of a trail that incorporates the cultural understanding and knowledge while reflecting the needs, desires, and aspirations of those who will walk, cycle, roll and explore along the trail," said the city.
For more information, visit salmonarm.ca/475/West-Bay-Connector.
