An ambitious proposal to improve and complete a trail system and new paraglider launch in the MacKenzie Basin and Owl Creek watersheds is in the works. The plan came before the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) directors at Monday’s (June 29) regular board meeting.

The Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) pulled together the application in a tight time frame to capitalize on a burst of federal spending for trails, submitting the plan and request for $117,500 to the National Trails Coalition (NTC) to meet a June 26 deadline. In the 2009 budget, the federal government committed $25 million to the NTC for trails in 2009-’10.

PVTA Executive Director Nigel Protter asked the SLRD to consider matching the $117,500 or contribute partial funding. The total project cost would be $250,000, including in-kind and volunteer contributions.

The intention is to create “a world-class destination non-motorized (except for trials motorcycles) regional trail system and paraglider launch” in the mountain terrain, according to the application.

The project would involve about 25 kilometres of trails and structures, with a first phase completing the Happy-NIMBY trail loop and adding a spur up the MacKenzie Basin past the site of a proposed new east-facing launch for paragliders and hang gliders. The second phase would see the upgrade of an alpine connector route along the MacKenzie high ridge to the Owl, Chain and Ogre lakes trail hub.

A letter from SLRD Open Spaces Coordinator Allison Macdonald states that the proposal “would provide recreationalists (with) a fantastic multi-season alpine experience stretching from Owl Creek to the east to Tenquille Lake.”

The necessary pieces are still being drawn together for the project, but things could move quickly if the federal grant is involved. Protter told the board the project had to be “shovel ready” and have work prepared to start in mid July.

Several of the SLRD directors expressed interest in the project, though there was some concern about the rushed timeline since they received the full proposal Monday as a late addition to the agenda, and about the few options available to meet the financial request. After some debate, the directors voted to commit $25,000 to the project – contingent on the success of the application to the NTC — from the SLRD’s General Select fund, which currently has a balance of about $93,000.

“I know it’s last minute, but that seems to be the nature of these federal programs, unfortunately… There’s certainly merit in my mind to this,” Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy said, adding that he felt the letters of support quickly gathered from a range of groups for the application “speaks to what people would like to see happen.”

The application package include letters from representatives of groups ranging from the Pemberton Wildlife Association and the Lil’wat Nation to the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. and paragliding and soaring clubs.

“This is a very ambitious project,” Whistler Councillor Eckhard Zeidler said, adding that he felt the ambition and tight timeline put the board into a corner.

Directors Susie Gimse and Russ Oakley also expressed reservations about depleting the general select fund on one project.

Festival still supported

The directors affirmed their support for a return of the Pemberton Festival, passing a resolution to indicate their enthusiastic backing of the event subject to meeting the planning requirements in the regional district’s event permit.

Gimse brought the subject to the board table, saying she understands that the Live Nation concert producers are now considering a potential 2010 festival. She said they “are looking for some assurances” that some issues that affected the 2008 event, such as policing costs, are being addressed.

“We need to actively put forward our support and solutions,” Sturdy said, asking for a strong message that “this is an important event, and it’s important to all of us.” Gimse asked for a commitment from the board to work with all stakeholders to put on the best and safest festival possible.

Old school lease renewed

The directors voted to renew the SLRD’s lease with the Sea to Sky School District for the old Pemberton Secondary School facility, extending the agreement (which was set to expire on Tuesday) to June 30, 2010.

SLRD Chief Administrative Officer Paul Edgington said the lease extension gives officials the time needed to complete a previously requested assessment of the building, which could inform long-term plans for its use. It also allows the Sea to Sky Community Services Society to continue as a tenant, with its child care programs in the facility, he said.

Edgington said the SLRD’s shorthanded staffing situation meant that the studies couldn’t be completed before now, but he expects them to be commissioned in July and August.