THUNDER BAY — The group aiming to develop a 400-kilometre network of hiking trails between Nipigon and Atikokan is getting some cash to continue its work.
Northwestern Ontario Recreational Trails Association (NWORTA) will receive up to $10,000 from Trans Canada Trail for new trail construction and for upgrading the Shabaqua Trail in the Kakabeka Falls area.
NWORTA plans to extend the Shabaqua route farther east toward Kakabeka, and remove sections of the existing trail from active travelled roadways in O'Connor and Conmee Townships.
The funding is 50 per cent of the estimated cost, meaning the not-for-profit group will have to raise the balance.
"NWORTA is committed to expanding the land-based Trans Canada Trail network in the Thunder Bay area by connecting communities together via hiking trails," said Len Day, the president of the organization. "Having a connection to Kakabeka is super-exciting. We cannot thank O'Connor Township, Conmee Township and TCT enough for their continued support and belief in our vision."
The Shabaqua-to-Kakabeka route is 45 km long, and currently consists of a variety of pathways including newly-constructed trail, existing and reclaimed old roads and trails, and municipal roadways.
The east trailhead is located at Highway 590 and Sovereign Road, west of Kakabeka Falls.
The new funding will facilitate an 8-kilometre extension to Luckens Road in O'Connor, permitting users to access Kakabeka via Luckens Road, Highway 590 and Highway 11/17.
NWORTA also plans to mitigate the use of Sovereign Road and a portion of Fleming Road by building a new 2.5 km greenway trail on Crown land west and south of these roads.
Day said while the group has received some approvals both in terms of funding and permissions to construct various trail sections, it is still waiting for the official go-ahead from other funding partners and for a work permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
"We anticipate these decisions in the coming months, and hope to complete construction by the end of this year. We can't wait to get going on this project."
Mathiew Roy, CEO of Trans Canada Trail, called NWORTA "a fantastic partner" in the development of the cross-country trail network.
