Photo: TNRD The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is contributing $30,000 to fund a recreational pathway located off Bailey Avenue near Nicola Canford elementary school in Lower Nicola. The TNRD board of directors unanimously approved contributing $15,000 in Canada Community Building funds from each of Electoral Areas M and N (Beautiful Nicola Valley North and South) at it last regular meeting earlier this month. The project is costing a total of $60,000, with School District 58 contributing the other $30,000 as well as any cost overruns.
According to a TNRD staff report to the board, foot traffic to and from the school has, for decades, passed through private property, the owner of which recently received approval for a subdivision of lots. Historically, however, there has been a 20-metre right-of-way in the area, held by Lower Nicola Waterworks, through to the school, which via this project will enable the permanent continuance of foot traffic, the report stated. The Lower Nicola Waterworks apportioned three of the 20-metre right of way to the Ministry of Transportation, who has now issued a permit to SD58 to occupy and maintain said right of way that the ministry has deemed a roadway.
Now the TNRD and school district will have a contractors excavate a walking path and lay crush gravel as well as install four-foot-high galvanized chain link fence for the length of the pathway — approximately 700 feet — to separate the pathway from neighbouring private property. Completi.