The regional district board awarded the contract for the Regional Trails Master Plan at last Thursday’s regular board of directors meeting in Penticton.
The board awarded the $50,000 contract to Cascade Environmental Resource Group Limited. Cascade’s job will be to help define the future direction, policies, priorities, standards and actions for the regional district and its partners with respect to existing and potential future linear parks and trails and support of a regional trail network.
The Regional Trails Program is a strategic planning initiative that will guide trail development in the RDOS for the next 10 years.
The regional district is currently in the process of pursuing the acquisition of former railway corridor in the district to add to the 200 plus kilometres currently under management by the RDOS and the province, the ultimate goal being to develop a network of trail corridors that connect the communities of the regional district.
Cascade Environmental was selected from a list of eight proposals. The consultants showed greater strengths in experience and relevant past experience. Cascade also offered an extensive public consultation process through a series of strategic planning exercises.
It is expected that the final draft of the report will be delivered to the board by January of next year.