Three organizations have banded together in an effort to turn the old rail line from Sicamous to an area four kilometres south of Enderby into a recreational trail.
The Splatsin First Nation, Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD), and the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) have approved a memorandum of understanding regarding pursuit of the acquisition of the Canadian Pacific-owned Okanagan Shuswap Railway.
This will be the foundation for collaboration for the proposed acquisition of the Okanagan Shuswap railway.
Chief Wayne Christian says the memorandum of understanding and the opportunity to work together in pursuing the Okanagan Shuswap Railway will promote communication and strengthen relationships between their respective communities and residents.
“We need to work together to invest in the region for all our people and our collective future,” he says.
CSRD Board Chair Rhona Martin said she, too, is excited about the partnership.
“This is a big step forward and I very much look forward to working with Splatsin and RDNO as this initiative is explored,” she said. “I hope this is the beginning of a long and successful working relationship between our communities.”
Splatsin noted the community had successfully negotiated with CP Rail to acquire 11.7 hectares of the discontinued railway corridor between Sicamous and Armstrong in 2014. This includes a 1.5-km section south of Sicamous along the shores of Mara Lake.