Lantzville residents could soon be trudging along a trail between Aulds and Ware Roads thanks to $400,000 in provincial funding.
The trail will be 1.6 kilometres long and is part of a proposed six-section multi-purpose corridor adjacent to the E&N railway.
The trail is estimated to cost about $800,000. The remainder will come from provincial Gas Tax funds council has set aside for a project that benefits the entire community.
The entire project was identified in the district’s Trails and Journeyways strategy and is estimated at $1.5 million. The strategy aims to create corridors for recreation and commuters to have an alternative means to reach their destination.
Lantzville Mayor Colin Haime said recreation is “high on Lantzville residents' list” of essential services.
“Lantzville is a less urbanized community and a lot of our roads don’t have sidewalks,” he said.
The hope is the trail will promote alternative routes for pedestrians and cyclists, offer more recreational activities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This project is just tremendous, it’s great for family’s health and hopefully encourages more of us to leave our cars at home, which doesn’t just benefit people living in Lantzville – it benefits all of us,” said Ron Cantelon, Liberal MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, in a press release.
The next step in the project is a formal survey of the trail.
Towns of Tomorrow was created in 2007. It provides funding for municipalities communities of 5,000 to 15,000 residents. Since established, it has provided nearly $70 million to communities in the province.