$2.4 million pathway grant to improve connection to Rutland

The City of Kelowna has been awarded a $2.4 million grant to extend the Houghton Road Active Transportation Corridor (ATC) from Rutland to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

Announced last week, the grant is provided from the ICIP-CVRIS Program by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. It is the sixth successful grant application for the City in 2021, now totaling more than $3.5 million.

“On behalf of the City of Kelowna, we’re excited to receive a $2.4 million senior government grant to expand Kelowna’s active transportation network,” said Mayor Colin Basran. “The Houghton ATC extension project will help connect our Rutland neighbourhood with the Okanagan Rail Trail and beyond, moving us one step forward to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can get around Kelowna easily.”

The Houghton ATC extension proposes an all ages and abilities multi-use path connecting to the Okanagan Rail Trail. Creating a new access point to one of Kelowna’s most popular active transportation facilities, the new pathway will close a nine-kilometre gap in safe highway crossing for bikes. The project is a high priority connection identified in the 2020 Regional Bicycling and Trails Master Plan and 2016 Kelowna Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

“The City actively pursues alternative revenue sources, including grants from external providers such as the Provincial and Federal governments, research institutions and other organizations,” said Michelle Kam, Grants & Special Projects Manager. “Securing external funding sources supports Council and community priorities and positions the City as a leader in responsible fiscal management. We look forward to hearing about other successful grant applications throughout the year and continue adding critical infrastructure and programs to our community.”

In addition to the Houghton ATC grant, examples of other successful grant applications in 2021 include $60,000 from the Government of Canada for water fountains for vulnerable populations, $200,000 from the Province of BC for upgrades to four transit stops, and $12,000 from the Okanagan Basin Water Board for WaterSmart classroom video and teaching tools. Grants such as these, combined with other sources of revenue and $5.7 million in Federal Gas Tax funds received in 2021, have ensured that nearly three quarters of the City’s 2021 budget comes from sources other than taxation.