Official Grand Opening – All Day September 19
After six years of hard work and incredible support, the Markin MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail will be officially opened this weekend. The Trail is now paved from Invermere to Fairmont Hot Springs – all 25 KM of it!, with only a handful of finishing touches remaining.
The Grand Opening Ceremony will be held on Friday, September 18 at 12:30 pm. In order to follow COVID-19 guidelines, in-person attendance for this event has been limited. However, please join us via Facebook livestream, for unveiling of the Last Spoke sculpture and for the official Trail opening.
On Saturday, September 19, the public is invited to come out to walk, bike or run all, or sections of theTrail – in a safe, socially distanced manner. To capture this occasion, there will be drone flyovers, as well as photographers at the North and South kiosks, the Last Spoke Sculpture, and the Greywolf Pond throughout the day. Members of the Greenways crew will also be on the trail to meet and chat with the public.
“Everyone is invited to join the celebration. Take a selfie and post using #OurTrail, and enjoy this incredible trail – there is simply nothing like it!”
says Lianne Lang, Project Manager.
“A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this trail a reality. We want everyone to come out on Saturday to enjoy the Trail with us, take a photo, watch for the drones that will be capturing the day, and stay safe”
says Lyle Wilson, Chair of the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the benefits that this accessible, 25-kilometre multi-use trail will bring to the residents and visitors of Invermere and Fairmont Hot Springs. By making investments in community infrastructure across the province, we are helping to build healthier, cleaner and better connected communities, improving the quality of life for people in this area for years to come.”
The Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
“Getting outside and staying active is so important to the health of a community and its residents,” said the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Accessible recreational infrastructure like the Markin-MacPhail Westside Legacy Trail connects communities and provides individuals and families with safe ways to enjoy the outdoors. Canada’s Infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds stronger communities.”
