Sticking to its path of educational direction, the School District 83 board will not be sending a letter of support for the Salmon Arm Heritage Trail’s proposed Haney Connector.
The matter came back to the table at the March 12 board meeting, before which trustee Marianne VanBuskirk and secretary treasurer Dale Culler were invited out to see the property firsthand. While VanBuskirk enjoyed the tour and said it’s beautiful, she didn’t think the trail issue falls within the board’s mandate.
She referenced the request, which states the trail would allow citizens, “and specifically students” easy pedestrian access to Haney Heritage Park to and from school.
“I’m wondering how many kids would actually take advantage of that, to walk that distance to school. And I should mention that the neighbours are not in favour of the trail… for a lot of reasons,” VanBuskirk pointed out. “My own personal preference is I don’t think the school district should get involved in this discussion… I don’t think it’s our prerogative or duty to engage.”
Vice chair Corryn Grayston agreed, particularly regarding the lack of support from neighbours.
“I feel like this one has a sense of contention to it,” she said. “I do feel like the city is behind this, the trail alliance, and I think it’s for them to move it forward as opposed to us to support.”
On the flip side, trustee Tennile Lachmuth saw no harm in writing a letter of support commenting on the educational factor and the benefits to students. She also indicated that in simply sending a letter, the board wouldn’t be taking on any responsibility.
“This isn’t a decision that’s on our table, unfortunately, this is just a request from the presenters for us to support it,” she pointed out. “It would be up to them to take all this back… and make that decision themselves. I think that we can offer a small peice by supporting the application.”
VanBuskirk, however, added there is also a large pond on the property that can sometimes get to 15 feet deep, and expressed concerns about liability should a student fall in, to which trustee Brent Gennings said is something that could “be easily mitigated.”
With just Lachmuth and Gennings in favour of sending a letter of support, the motion was defeated 3-2.
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