Alberni Valley Times, May 22, 2015

Port Alberni hoops prospect transfers to VIU

DAVE KOSZEGI

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» Outdoors

Inlet Trail Phase 2 opening Second phase of one of the Alberni Valley’s top hikes is set to have its grand opening on Sunday “It has been a great deal of work so everyone can walk on it safely.”

KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES

H

ikers and trail builders will be cutting the ribbon on the second phase of the Alberni Inlet trail

on Sunday. Although the trail has been accessible and used for the past several years, it has recently been finished with signage and cleared of overbrush. Previously, hikers were able to walk an outand-back 7.5-kilometre trail from China Creek to Franklin River. Phase two’s completion means nearly 20 kilometres of continuous trail. The idea of creating a trail through the area came to lightabout approximately 12 years ago when a group of volunteers wanted to explore its historic past. “There were rumours about remnants left, but very few had seen anything,” said Judy Carlson, member of the Alberni Outdoors Club. “There is the concrete culvert so we knew a grade had to be close by and sure enough, there was on the bank to the south. There were volunteers interested in seeing more and thought it was a good idea for a trail.” Currently located in a working forest, the trail location was previously used for the mining industry in the 19th century. Remnants of the past remind

Judy Carlson, Alberni Valley Outdoors Club

Volunteers have been putting in many hours of work on the second phase of the Alberni Inlet Trail lately. The grand opening is set for this Sunday. [KRISTI DOBSON, TIMES]

users that it was intended to be a rail grade into Port Alberni. Work camps were situated along the Inlet. About 10 years ago, volunteers started by making a trail through salal and evergreen huckleberry bushes from China Creek to Underwood Cove one day a week over the winter. They received help from groups like

Katimavik and Canada World Youth, after which some structures along the way are named. “Rick and Libby Avis deserve the credit for the vision of making a trail all the way down the Inlet from Port Alberni to Headquarters,” Carlson said. “They were with us when we first discovered the culvert, and later when ICET (Island Coastal

Economic Trust) funding became available. They obtained and oversaw the grant that allowed Stage 1 of the trail to be made.” The first phase opened from Ship Creek Road and Anderson a couple years ago, offering a climb up to a lookout over the Valley. After that, it was the intent to keep extending the route further to China Creek and beyond.

“It has been a great deal of work so everyone can walk on it safely,” said Carlson. “A lot was done this winter to bring it up to standards.” A handrail, concrete steps and signs were added to make the trail safer. Funding has been secured to include historic signage over the next year. The trail is well-marked, userfriendly and can be accessed at either entrance at Ship Creek Road and Anderson Avenue or China Creek. On Sunday, the grand opening will take place at 10 a.m. at China Creek Park near the China Creek Marina. It will feature information about the historic and current state of the trail, a ribbon cutting and refreshments. Anyone wanting to hike the length one-way can be transported back by shuttle, but seating is limited. Email Heather Adair at hadair@acrd.bc.ca to reserve a spot. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net

TRANSPORTATION

Push on for road between Cowichan, Port Alberni ANDREA RONDEAU COWICHAN VALLEY CITIZEN

A push is on to improve the road between Cowichan Lake, Nitinat and Port Alberni, with the aim of opening up the area for business development. Driving the movement is the Huu-ay-aht First Nation, a group of about 750 members which owns 8,500 hectares of land in the Barkley Sound region on the west coast of Vancouver Island at the entrance to the Alberni Inlet. The Huu-ay-aht signed their treaty with the provincial and federal governments in 2011, and now operate under a municipal system where they collect taxes to provide services to their people. The Huu-ay-aht want “significant” road improvements

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EDWARDS

to the 120 kilometre stretch to bolster the development of two large industrial projects, a transshipment hub in Port Alberni and a liquid natural gas project at Sarita Bay. These projects are key to the future of the band, said Chief Councillor

Jeff Cook, because 85 per cent of their people don’t live on the nation’s lands, and they’d like to lure them home with the promise of good jobs. Both proposed projects will require materials to be transported overland from the east to the west coast of the Island. The long-ignored stretch of what they’re calling the West Coast Vancouver Island Road is the preferred route. “We’ve been talking about the road for the better part of 30 years,” said James Edwards, the band’s executive director, but said upgrade proposals are finally starting to gain some traction. The province has indicated the development is a matter of when, not if, he said. “We want to make sure the when is soon,” said Edwards.

The goal is to have the road designated a public highway and brought up to safety standards and either have asphalt laid or have the surface chip-sealed. Saying that “the road isn’t great, perhaps is an understatement,” Edwards said. At some times of the year it’s not really even passable, he said, and is certainly not suitable for those looking to go camping or hiking in the area. Attracting such visitors is also an important part of developing the entire area economically, he said, including Lake Cowichan, and Nitinat. Fixing the road will also significantly improve access to medical and emergency services, Edwards said, especially if a disaster were to occur. The current lone highway into

Harper announces extra cash for RCMP

Folk theme set for weekend concerts

Money will go toward the fight against terrorism as prime minister stated that there is no reason any Canadian should be involved in jihad. » Nation & World, 6

Some top names on the folk music circuit are making their ways into Port Alberni this weekend for shows at the Argyle Street concert venue Char’s Landing. » Entertainment, 11

Port Alberni has both safety and congestion issues, he pointed out, and a secondary route is smart development. The vision is to pay for the upgrades with both private and public funding. “We do see that this is going to take a partnership,” Edwards said. The Cowichan Valley Regional District is being asked to voice its support for the project and be part of a group meeting with the province to sell the idea. Coun. Tim McGonigle from Lake Cowichan said he could see that the area “would most definitely benefit.” Said director Ian Morrison of the proposal: “This is music to my ears.” The proposal will come back to the board for action at a later date.

Inside today Alberni Region 3 Opinion 4

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Nation & World 6 Entertainment 11

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