Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association

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Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association V( ISTA) Newsletter July 2014 Prepared by Andrew Pape-Salmon, VISTA President email: [email protected] Vancouver Island Spine Trail Association– President’s Report This is the inaugural issue of the VISTAP resident’s Report, providing an update to members, volunteers, sponsors and partner organizations in the planning, construction and maintenance othf e 700km Vancouver Island Spine Trail from Victoria to Cape Scott. It includes a concise summary of VISTA Board of Director meeting minutes, VISTA project activities and the communications by the VITN with partner organizations, outdoor enthusiasts. Its erves as a table of contents of a member “newsletter” with links to the VISTA and VITN websites for more depth. Trails Update Winter is not a busy time for trail building, but is commonly used to conduct trails feasibility studies, consult stakeholders, select routes, raise funds and build momentum for the trail construction and maintenance season (April-November). The following activities pertaining to the VI Spine Trail in recent months are noteworthy: In April 2014, a family of four with 7 and 9 year-old children hiked the Tuck Lake Trail (30km, west of Lake Cowichan) and Runner’s Trail (20km, to Alberni Inlet as a spring break getaway. The former trail was constructed by VISTA in 2012/2013 and the latter by the Tseshaht First Nation in 2010. The CVRD and CRD received funds from the Trans Canada Trail Foundatio,n among other sources, to conduct studies for completion oft he “Malahat Connector” between the CRD’s Galloping Goose Trail and the CVRD’s Shawnigan Lake trail and Kinsol Trestle; both part of the Trans Canada Trail and VI Spine Trail. The connector is scheduled to open in 2017. N ote that VISTA sponsored a trail running evental ong one possible routei n June 2010 in partnership Isis www.vispine.ca Properties, CRD, CVRD and FortisBC Energy. Click on this link for more information on the 2010 event. Thanks for the volunteer efforts and fundraising of theA lberni Valley Outdoor Club, a bridge was constructed over China Creek to connect the Alberni “Inlet Trail” with the Historic CNPR Trail south of the Creek. This addresses a major gap in the trail system south of Port Alberni that will connect to VISTA’s Tuck Lake Trail. Inaugural Vancouver Island Trails Network Conferenc e VISTA hosted its first gathering of Vancouver Island non-motorized trails stakeholders in the Comox Valley on May 31, 2014, sponsored by BC Hydro. The conference, promoted under VISTA’s new banner the “Vancouver Island Trails Network”, included sessions on the following topics: Keynote Speakers: Phillip Stone, Island Alpine Author; and Trish Kaplan, TC Trail Trails Success Stories Land Issues: Public Focus Community Capacity Building Land Issues: Private Focus Dirty Work – On the Ground Logistics Panel Discussion – Partnerships and Development The day after the conference, VISTA hosted a “Trails Day Out” series of events, including a mountain bike ride, trail run and hike on Cumberland’s fantastictrai ls. Here are two descriptions of the conference and trails day event: http://www.vispine.ca/vitrails_conf_2014_wrap Membership If you haven’t already done so, please renew your membershipb y clicking here. Active members can vote for the Board of Directors and motions related to VISTA priorities at the upcoming Annual General Meeting in early fall 2014. An AGM notice with a call for nominations for Directors will be sent out shortly. Active members will receive this newsletter a month in advance ofi t being postedo n the VISTA website. Youth Program As part of our commitment to youth engagement, we have arranged with the YMCA to lead a group of youth on a trail-building weekend in August, and two groups of high school studentsfro m SMUS on trail- building weekends in September. For more information, please contact Charles Burnett. See the article on our website for highlights from the youth program in 2013 . www.vispine.ca Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities VISTA President Andrew Pape-Salmon and volunteer Chris Causton attended the AVICC conference in Parksville/Qualicum on April 11/12, 2014. They spoke to over 50 local government politicians, public sector organizations, land-use interests and others. Andrew’s highlight was a discussion with Councillor Bob Day and others from the Town of Lake Cowichan to exploreth e construction of a new trail from the Town to the Nitinat River, where it would connect to the existing VI Spine Trail networkt o Port Alberni. Strategic Planning In November 2013 VISTA held its secondStrateg ic Planning workshop in Victoria, building upon the organization’s 2011 Strategic Planwith activities in the following areas: Strategic plan update VITN Conference Trails Day event Youth Program Data and digital assets (maps, website) Private landowner outreach and partnerships Public sector outreach and partnerships (AVICC conference, selected local governments, First Nation engagement) Feasibility studies for further VI Spine Trail sections (Strathcona Park to Upper Campbell Lake) Trail building (negotiatinga greements with land owners, local government and First Nation consultations, “ground-proving” the proposed trail route, clarifying trail construction standards, securing partners, funding, contractors and volunteers) Fundraising for the overall organization and individual projects We have contracted Route Two Projects to develop a detailed proposal for the direction of the VISTA organization with key components of a revised Strategic Plan byth e end of July 2014. www.vispine.ca .
Recommended publications
  • Cowichan Valley Trail Brochure (2021)
    FLIP FOR MAP FOR FLIP treaded tires are highly recommended. recommended. highly are tires treaded Kinsol Trestle. Surface conditions vary so cyclists should note that that note should cyclists so vary conditions Surface Trestle. Kinsol reconnects with your start point in Duncan. Duncan. in point start your with reconnects south through forests and rural farmland before arriving at the Historic Historic the at arriving before farmland rural and forests through south Ganges. Catch another ferry from Vesuvius to Crofton and a short ride ride short a and Crofton to Vesuvius from ferry another Catch Ganges. Glenora Trails Head Park on Robertson Road. The trail route travels travels route trail The Road. Robertson on Park Head Trails Glenora from Swartz Bay, the route meanders along roads to the village of of village the to roads along meanders route the Bay, Swartz from This popular cycling and equestrian route starts and finishes at at finishes and starts route equestrian and cycling popular This Difficulty: Difficulty: Saanich Peninsula. After a quick ferry connection to Saltspring Island Island Saltspring to connection ferry quick a After Peninsula. Saanich Easy Distance: Distance: before connecting with the Lochside Trail and heading north up the the up north heading and Trail Lochside the with connecting before 26 km return km 26 ROUTE B — Glenora Trails Head Park to Kinsol Trestle Kinsol to Park Head Trails Glenora — B ROUTE route continues on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail into Victoria Victoria into Trail Regional Goose Galloping the on continues route dropping into Langford, along the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail. The The Trail.
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  • Kinsol Trestle Rehabilitation CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
    Kinsol Trestle Rehabilitation CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COWICHAN VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA Save the Magnificent, Historic Kinsol Trestle By Jack Peake, Chair, Kinsol Trestle Capital Campaign hen I was asked to Chair the Cowichan Foundation Construction of the Kinsol Trestle campaign to raise $2 million to save the spectacular started in 1911 when forestry had W gained some ground on Vancouver Kinsol Trestle, I replied with an unhesitating, resounding YES. Island and a more efficient way to transport the region’s huge, old- There are so many compelling reasons why saving the Trestle growth timber was needed. The Trestle makes sense. I have made my gift to support rehabilitation of the was completed by Canadian National Trestle. I hope, after reading this information, you will join me Railways in 1920 as part of the and do the same. “Galloping Goose” rail line. Designed by engineers but built by local farmers and loggers, the History and Beauty Worth Saving Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest There aren’t many opportunities Too many times, unfortunately, we free-standing and most spectacular in a lifetime to make a difference witness the disappearance of our timber rail trestle structures in the for generations to come. Saving heritage and wish we had done more world. At 614 feet in length and the Trestle for its rich history is a to preserve it. This is our chance to standing 145 feet above the salmon powerful reason to support this avoid such a loss for our community. bearing Koksilah River, the campaign. I imagine school children Saving the Trestle means we will keep Kinsol is an incredible structure walking across the Trestle in the years that window into a bygone era open worth preserving.
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  • 2020 Annual Report
    BRITISH COLUMBIA 2020 ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 Letter from the Board Chair 5 Letter from the CAO 7 Organizational structure 9 2020 initiatives 10 STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 12 CFO transmittal letter 28 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 30 Statement of financial position 38 Statement of operations 39 Statement of changes in net debt 40 Statement of cash flows 41 Notes to the financial statements 42 FINANCIAL STATISTICS Statement of operations 73 Tax assessments 74 Debt 75 Property tax collection 75 Tangible Capital Assets 75 Reserves 75 2020 CVRD ANNUAL REPORT | 3 | LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR H On behalf of the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board of Directors, I am proud to share the 2020 Annual Report. G G I Now more than halfway through our 2018-2022 term of office, the CVRD has made Town of tremendous progress on a number of key initiatives. 2020 was a challenging year for Ladysmith our Board, and the organization as a whole, as we responded to the unprecedented COVID-19 global pandemic. I am proud to say that through the sharing of our values, goals and priorities, the Board was able to finalize and adopt a 2020-2022 Strategic Plan. The pandemic and its unparalleled impact on our lives was top of mind for us Municipality of as we drafted this guiding document, and it continues to play a major role as we North Cowichan provide governance and leadership to our communities and the region at large. F Town of Lake Cowichan E D Looking back at 2020, this document provides highlights of our progress towards the strategic focus areas of the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan.
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  • Kinsol Trestle: Past and Future
    Kinsol Trestle: past and future BY JACK PEAKE, CHAIR, KINSOL TRESTLE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Editor's Note: The push is on to save the Cowichan Valley's magnificent Kinsol Trestle. Every month the Citizen will bring you a special feature on the Trestle. Watch for updates, history and contests. When I was asked to Chair the Cowichan Foundation campaign to raise $2 million to save the spectacular Kinsol Trestle, I replied with an unhesitating, resounding YES. There are so many compelling reasons why saving the Trestle makes sense. I have made my gift to support rehabilitation of the Trestle. I hope, after reading this information, you will join me and do the same. There aren't many opportunities in a lifetime to make a difference for generations to come. Saving the Trestle for its rich history is a powerful reason to support this campaign. I imagine school children walking across the Trestle in the years ahead. I can see them staring down at the Koksilah River through the graceful curve and weathered beams and being told of the industry, skills, audacity and sheer tenacity of those who built this engineering marvel in the wilderness. I also imagine myself going back in time, travelling by steam-powered train across the Trestle with the crews and passengers of a bygone era. Seeing the Trestle brings history to life in such a powerful way. The Trestle is one of the few accessible and visible reminders of the early mining and logging industries on Southern Vancouver Island. At the end of the 19th century, the race was on to build railways so that lumber and minerals could be more easily shipped nationally and internationally.
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  • An Archive of Settler Belonging: Local Feeling, Land, and the Forest Resource on Vancouver Island
    An Archive of Settler Belonging: Local Feeling, Land, and the Forest Resource on Vancouver Island by Kelly Black A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Canadian Studies with Specialization in Political Economy Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2017 Kelly Black Abstract This dissertation explores the local, material, and affective processes of Settler (non-Indigenous) attachment to land on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I describe these feelings for land as Settler belonging and my research is guided by a reflexive and interdisciplinary approach that seeks to “explain Settlers to ourselves.” Through original archival research and personal reflection, I argue that “(dis)possession,” a term that encompasses Settler efforts to take the land and belong to the land, is a generational process, one that is worked at over time in an effort to link the past with the present and serve future Settler belonging. Through a study of plants, forest resource extraction, roads and railways, park creation, and real estate development in the Cowichan Valley and Sooke-Juan de Fuca regions, I argue that Settler feelings for land manifest in locally specific and contradictory ways. I build upon studies of Settler colonialism and political economy in Canada by adapting the staples approach, as developed by Harold A. Innis, Mel Watkins, and others, to trace the intersection of belonging with the resource economy and the characteristics of Settler colonialism. This dissertation links historical and ongoing transformations in the relations of production, such as the conversion of private forestry lands into real estate, to reveal the ways in which belonging adjusts to political and economic changes that both assist and threaten its future.
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  • Logjam July/Oct 2012
    The Log Jam July & Pacific Shores Area October A Publication of the Girl Guides of Canada 2012 In This Issue Camp Creina Crest Competition New Creina Crests p. 1 Submitted by:Iris Symon Photo by: Patti Salewski Awards ---------------p. 2 Marian Davies, chairperson of the Camp Creina Committee presented each of the winners of the Camp Creina Girl Greatness ------p. 3 Crest Competition with a framed memento of their crest mounted on a collage of Camp Creina photos. A won- HAB ------------------p. 4 derful keepsake of the four NEW crests now offered at Camp Creina for $1.87 each! Next time you’re camping, Trefoil ---------------p. 4 check the Camp Crest Box and purchase one for yourself and your girls! Unit News -------- p. 12 Tent Camping District News ----- p. 16 Natalie Morelan, Camp News ------- p. 18 Shawnigan Lake Guides. Prov. News -------- p. 19 Council List ------- p. 20 Campfire Circle Kathryn Schertzer, Submissions Shawnigan Lake Guides Submit your articles anytime at: The Marshmallow Roast www.ggcpacificshores.ca McKenna Stein, 2nd /contact Shawnigan Lake Brownies Deadlines: Diversity of Camping - Jan 3, 2013 Apr 4, 2013 from Bunkhouse to Tent Connie Paradis, Adult Member Awards Cherry Hossack - Gold Merit Deanie Patten, our Area Deputy Commissioner, is pictured with Cherryl Hossack (yes, there are 2 r’s in Cherryl’s name) awarding her with the Gold Merit award for her ongoing dedication to Girl Guides in the Parksville Area. Cherryl has held multiple positions over her many, many years in Guiding, she has worked at every level from Sparks to Rangers, been a Commissioner twice, and has taken Rangers to Our Cabana twice.
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  • Board Minutes November 12 2008
    Minutes of the Regular meeting of the Board of the Cowichan Valley Regional District held in the Board Room, 175 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC, on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. PRESENT: Chair W.J. (Jack) Peake Directors J. Allan <6:05 pm>, K. Cossey <6:05 p.m.> M. Dorey, L. Duncan, B. Hodson, R. Hartmann, R. Hutchins <6:39 pm>, P. Kent <4:59 pm>, J. Lefebure, G. Seymour <6:05 pm>, M. Tansley, M. Walker and Alternate Directors J. McKenzie <until 5:12 pm> and R. Waters ALSO Warren Jones, Administrator PRESENT: Joe Barry, Corporate Secretary Kate Miller, Environment Manager <6:05 pm> Brian Farquhar, Parks Manager <6:05 pm> Tom Anderson, Development Services Manager <6:05 pm> Mike Tippett, Deputy Manager <6:05 pm> Dave Leitch, Manager Utilities <6:05 pm> ABSENT: Director M. Marcotte APPROVAL OF It was moved and seconded that the agenda be amended by deleting AGENDA Agenda Item B14 and that the agenda as amended be approved. 08-710 MOTION CARRIED RESOLVING It was moved and seconded that the meeting be closed to the public in INTO accordance with the Community Charter Part 4, Division 3, Section CLOSED 90, Subsections (1) (c) and (k). SESSION 3:40 pm MOTION CARRIED 08-711 RISE FROM It was moved and seconded that the Board rise without report and CLOSED return to the Regular portion of the meeting. SESSION 5:12 pm MOTION CARRIED 08-714 08-715 It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned until 6:00 pm.
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  • Trails BC AGM Report… 6 Coquihalla Summit Challenge a Success… 7 Victoria Trans Canada Trail Pavilion Panel Unveiling…7 Adopt a Trail… 8 Trails BC 2003-2004 Board… 8
    TRAILS BC TrailNewsletter of the Trails Society Talk of British Columbia Vol. 8 No. 3 — November 2003 www.trailsbc.ca Contents Twelve Myra Canyon Trestles Destroyed, Work Underway to Rebuild... See page 2. The Phoenix will rise from the ashes... 2 Royal Engineers deck two trestles… 4 Rotary Club upgrades Shawnigan Lake section of Cowichan Valley Trail… 5 Trails BC AGM report… 6 Coquihalla Summit Challenge a success… 7 Victoria Trans Canada Trail Pavilion Panel Unveiling…7 Adopt a trail… 8 Trails BC 2003-2004 Board… 8 The Trails BC Board of Directors and the Editorial Committee wish you happy holiday season and a crisis-free winter. ISSN 1705-4559 Fire ravaged the historic Myra Canyon Kettle Valley Railway trestles in the first week of Published quarterly by: September, 2003. Work is underway to assess the damage, begin rehabilitation and raise Trails BC funds to rebuild or replace the trestles and open up Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park and the 315 – 1367 W. Broadway Trans Canada Trail early in 2004. See the “ Phoenix will rise” article on page 2 for details. Vancouver BC V6H 4A9 Photo courtesy of the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society. Editorial Committee Ava Caldwell, Sue Burnham & Murphy Shewchuk Engineers pay a surprise visit to the Boundary… Forty-seven men and three women from the 7 Headquarters Squadron, part of 21 Engineer Regiment of the British Royal Engineers, based in Osnabruck, Germany, decked two Kettle River trestles. See page 4 for the details. No summer holiday… While we did miss sending out a July Trail Talk and the October issue has turned into a November issue, it isn’t because we spent a lot of time at the beach.
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  • Kinsol Trestle
    Kinsol Trestle Location: Cowichan Valley Trail, Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, Canada Formally Recognized: 2009/06/10 Other Names: Koksilah River Trestle Construction Dates: 1914-1920 North Side View of the Kinsol Trestle Statement of Significance for Kinsol Trestle Description of Historic Place The historic place is the Kinsol Trestle (also known as the Koksilah River Trestle), a large timber crossing over the Koksilah River that was built by the Canadian National Railways. The historic place includes the trestle structure, its concrete foundations, the river banks beneath it and nearby, and the two approaches at the top of the banks. A trestle first spanned the river at this location in 1920. The present structure is the product of several subsequent partial rebuildings, the last being in 1958. It has stood unused and unmaintained since 1979. The Trestle is situated in a rural area within the Cowichan Valley Regional District on southeastern Vancouver Island. It is owned by the BC Ministry of Transport. 1 Heritage Value The historic place has value for its scientific / engineering features, for its socio-economic / historical associations, and for its cultural and spiritual qualities. As a work of engineering, the Kinsol Trestle has heritage value as an extant representative of the manner in which Canadian railways built large timber structures across deep ravines and for (reportedly) being the highest and possibly the largest surviving timber trestle in Canada. The technology used tried and true components and assembly methods, combining them in a unique configuration that responded to the particular conditions. The railway’s engineers used large old-growth Douglas-fir timbers to create a hybrid structure that combines 8 parallel low-level Howe Trusses (built in 1934) resting on concrete piers and supporting six decks of framed trestlework.
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  • F3 Kinsoltrestlebridge.Pdf
    Canadiian Consulltiing Engiineeriing Awards Submiissiion –Kiinsoll Trestlle Briidge - SUMMARY 1 | P a g e KINSOL TRESTLE BRIDGE Executive Summary The History The Koksillah River Bridge, more commonly known as the Kinsol Trestle, lies on British Columbia’s Vancouver Island, near Shawnigan Lake. Its construction was completed in 1920 as part of the Canadian Northern Railway’s attempt to connect Victoria to Nootka Sound to transport timber. The last train to cross this bridge did so in 1979 and the route was retired. Portions of the rail corridor were subsequently converted to a rail trail in the late 1990’s as part of the Trans Canada Trail on Southern Vancouver Island, though a significant 8.5 km trail detour around the closed Kinsol Trestle crossing was necessary. The impressive Kinsol Trestle is 615ft long, 125ft high and was constructed entirely from Douglas fir. It is one of the largest wooden rail trestles built and most certainly is the highest standing in Canada if not the British Commonwealth. The Challenge Since the trestle’s abandonment in 1979, this feat of Canadian engineering and construction skills endured vandalism, fires, and heavy decay in many of its timbers. Although part of the last mile of the TransCanada Trail, the bridge was unused and unusable for years and its lack resulted in a difficult 8.5 km detour on the Trail. The Cowichan Valley Regional District [CVRD] was charged with determining its fate – restoration or demolition. Due to public controversy over the issue, the CVRD decided to reassess and hosted a special meeting in mid 2007 A team of heritage consultants, engineers and timber restoration specialists was assembled including MMM Group and Cascade Engineering Group, and charged with providing a more detailed survey of the condition of the timbers; prepare a report with a restoration and rehabilitation strategy and budget.
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  • B.C. HISTORICAL FEDERATION Interim Report of the Historical Trails and Sites November 2011
    B.C. HISTORICAL FEDERATION Interim Report of the Historical Trails and Sites November 2011 We have made continuinG proGress on obtaininG information on Historic Trails from member societies and others, but as this takes time and effort, all too many people tend to put off completion. We have made a personal request at many museums, and this should brinG more replies. We hope that we have enouGh data to use for a website on Historic Trails. HISTORIC SITES – We are lookinG into design of a new monument for Surveyor Walter Moberly to be placed at the Wooden Head Park at Revelstoke, now that we have the support of the B C Historical Federation and the Revelstoke Community Heritage Commission. We are in the process of invitinG the Association of B.C. Land Surveyors and the Association of Professional Engineers in B.C. for support and fundinG. We are also hopeful that major fundinG for this monument can be obtained from the Columbia Basin Trust, as Revelstoke is an important part of the area they support. Respectfully submitted -- Tom Lymbery, Chairman John Whittaker, Member HISTORICAL TRAILS & SITES COMMITTEE OF THE B.C. HISTORICAL FEDERATION Box 38, Gray Creek, B.C. V0B 1S0 The B.C. Historical Federation supports the protection preservation and markinG of historical trails, sites, relics, natural features and other objects and places of historical interest in British Columbia. With the intention of documentinG a data for the Province we are askinG each Member Society to Give us a list from their district of: Five most historical trails ____________________________________ Five most important & historical monuments____________________ Five most important historical personages______________________ Are the above adequately described or promoted? Do any need to be into public focus? Please prioritize the trails and sites from one to five.
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  • Government of British Columbia: Kinsol Trestle Opens to Families
    Government of British Columbia: Kinsol Trestle Opens to Families and Visitors SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 28, 2011) - NEWS RELEASE COMMUNIQUÉ For Immediate Release 2011TRAN0058-000935 July 28, 2011 Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Western Economic Diversification Canada Kinsol Trestle opens to families and visitors SHAWNIGAN LAKE - The historic Kinsol Trestle, Canada's tallest timber trestle, has reopened to provide families a spectacular recreational route in the Cowichan Valley. High above the Koksilah River, the restored trestle includes a 187-metre (614-foot) walkway along the top for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The trestle completes an important section along the Trans-Canada Trail, connecting the Village of Shawnigan Lake to the District of North Cowichan. "Our Government is proud to help restore this historic and spectacular structure," said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "I look forward to Cowichan Valley residents and visitors from around the world taking full advantage of the safer Kinsol Trestle for years to come." The work included replacing unsound timbers and reinforcing the structure to ensure that the historic characteristics, including the span, height and timbered design qualities of the original structure, were preserved. As many as 60 jobs were created through the entire 13-month process. "This project provided close to 60 jobs for Cowichan families," said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon on behalf of the B.C. government. "By adding a multi-purpose walkway to the structure, this 90-year-old former railway has been transformed into a safe and visually stunning connection along the Trans Canada Trail.
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