OSOYOOS, B.C. – Dignitaries from the local, regional, provincial and federal governments officially opened a major extension to the Osoyoos Canal Trail today, launching a new recreational amenity in the South Okanagan.

The recently completed project, which began in January, adds a seven-kilometre extension to the trail, stretching through Osoyoos’ famous desert habitat. The original two-kilometre trail section runs from Osoyoos Secondary School northward to Highway 3, on the western edge of Osoyoos. The new trail extension, built by a Destination Osoyoos work crew, runs northward along the east side of Highway 3, past the Osoyoos Airport, then away from the highway through native desert habitat all the way to the Osoyoos Desert Centre.

“This project provides a safe, level, compacted-gravel surface and scenic views stretching from northwest of town,” Destination Osoyoos CEO Glenn Mandziuk says. “This walking and hiking trail gives area residents and visitors to our region a great new part of our unique ecosystem to explore. Providing more fitness and environmental opportunities like this fulfills part of our Destination Osoyoos mandate to develop local infrastructure and improve the quality of life for people in the community.”

The path features viewing platforms, interpretive signs, benches, and small bridges over creeks. It offers first-hand views of antelope brush, the desert ecology, orchards, vineyards and the scenic South Okanagan valley.

Mandziuk says the trail is the result of a co-operative effort. “Destination Osoyoos worked closely with the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS), the Town of Osoyoos, the federal government, and the Osoyoos Desert Centre on this recreational development.” RDOS granted $15,000 to the project, the Town granted $25,000, the federal government through Service Canada granted $110,000, and the B.C. Resort Municipality Initiative contributed $20,000.

“We are very grateful for this funding and we look forward to doing more projects like this in the future,” Mandziuk says. “It is exciting to have so many partners in these initiatives. This co-operation is what it takes to get important projects like this done.”

“The path has turned out beautifully,” Mandziuk says. “Our crew has done a first-class job. I want to recognize the excellent work done by the crew – John Wells, Kyle Simms, Richard Collins, and Jeff Enns. I also want to thank all levels of government for their key support on this project – and especially RDOS Area A Director Mark Pendergraft, Osoyoos Town Council, Osoyoos Leisure Services Director Gerald Davis, and former Desert Centre Executive Director Joanne Muirhead for their help with the new trail. The Desert Centre helped us ensure the project won’t have any negative impact on the endangered desert ecology in the area.”

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For More Information Contact:

Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, Destination Osoyoos
Tel: 250-495-3366 or Toll-free: 1-888-676-9667
Email: glenn@osoyoos.ca
Website: www.destinationosoyoos.com

The Destination Osoyoos Development Society is a non-profit grassroots organization committed to strengthening economic, physical, social and cultural conditions in the Osoyoos area. The goal of its Community Economic Development Strategy is to promote enhanced quality of life and a sustainable, diversified economy. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing diverse interests in the community.