News Release - October 11, 2017

News Release - October 11, 2017

Join the RDN Community Celebration October 14, 2017

The RDN welcomes the community to their celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the RDN providing services to the region and for the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail Official Opening. Bring your family to the October 14, 2017 event from 10:30-11:30am at Springwood Park in Parksville for an opening ceremony with cake and refreshments and visit the RDN displays, information booths, and bike registration.

"Fifty years of providing services to this diverse and beautiful region is something for us all to be proud of and recognize together," shared RDN Chair Bill Veenhof. "Looking back at how the region has grown, changed and looking forward to how we will evolve with things such as new trails is exciting."

After the ceremony, the event moves onto the trail which runs from Springwood Park to Station Road in Coombs. Along the way there will be three water and snack stations. A free shuttle will be running from noon to 4pm between the kiosks at Springwood and Station Road. Walk or cycle one way and hop a ride back! The shuttle is fully accessible.

The Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail is a wide compacted gravel trail that is almost 7 km long, and offers plenty of room for all of those on the move or just out for exercise. Along the way, check out the best of Oceanside graffiti art, gaze down into the cool mossy depths of Romney Creek, or watch the bald eagles riding the air currents near their Church Rd area perch and nest trees.

"Funding public infrastructure is really about building communities and helping people," said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. "I'm pleased to see that the federal Gas Tax Fund is helping promote active lifestyles and transportation networks, and I congratulate the Regional District of Nanaimo for making the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail a reality."

The Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail project was made possible with the assistance of Federal Gas Tax Funding. The RDN has allocated $2.676M and an additional $0.525M was made available from Electoral Areas F and G Community Work Funds.

"Residents of the Regional District of Nanaimo now have a wonderful new option for walking, running and cycling in their community with the Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail," said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. "The Federal Gas Tax Fund is a great example of how partnerships between all levels of government can deliver infrastructure that improves people's daily lives."

In July, the Government of Canada delivered the first of two annual $132.97 million federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) installments to British Columbia. In total, the province will be provided with over $265.94 million this year through the fund. The funding, which flows through the Union of BC Municipalities to all of its communities, is now available to support local infrastructure projects, like this one in the Regional District of Nanaimo.

"The Coombs to Parksville Rail Trail provides a great facility for connecting communities and hosting tourists from afar," said Union of B.C. Municipalities president Wendy Booth. "I wish the Regional District of Nanaimo all the best on its 50th anniversary and appreciate the support provided by the Government of Canada to fully fund this project."

To learn more about the event visit www.rdn.bc.ca/events-2017-10-14 or see the attached event package details. In honour of the RDN's Anniversary you can also share a story about what you love in our region at www.getinvolved.rdn.ca.

 

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Contact:

RDN 50th Anniversary
Lisa Moilanen
Communications Coordinator
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-390-6554
lmoilanen [at] rdn.bc.ca (lmoilanen[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca)

Parks to Coombs Rail Trail Opening
Wendy Marshall
Manager Parks Services
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-248-4744
wmarshall [at] rdn.bc.ca (wmarshall[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca)

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