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Vision for Regional Pathway Keeps Gaining Local Support

Sep 11, 2016 | 9:02 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A much anticipated regional pathway could link Lethbridge and Coaldale in the near future.
 
It’s planned to stretch from Henderson Lake all the way to the Birds of Prey centre (shown above), featuring a storyboard as an agriculture interpretation component. 
On Tuesday (Sep. 6), Lethbridge City Council was added to the list of supporters for the vision of the cyclist and pedestrian path. Councillor Jeff Carlson was also appointed to the Regional Pathway Steering Committee to collaborate and assist with the initiative,  and keep Council up-to-date on any progress.
 
Deputy Reeve for Lethbridge County, Henry Doeve, says the idea came about six or seven years ago, as part of the Integrated Development Strategy between the County and Town of Coaldale.
 
He noted that four jurisdictions have now expressed their support for the project, including the Board of the St. Mary’s Irrigation District, which holds the most right-of-way along the proposed pathway. Other parts are held by private owners and corporations that have also indicated their interest.
 
“There’s such good energy around this project. Everyone sees the presentation and just can’t believe it hasn’t happened already,” says Doeve. “The environment is right now. We think the political  and social environment is right to move it forward.”
 
According to Doeve, some early work will begin this fall. Trails will be integrated along the linear storm retention area, west of Coaldale, as part of the Malloy Drain Mitigation Project.
 
Other county councillors agreed that the project should take place sooner rather than later. Doeve hopes some larger steps will be taken within the next five years.
 
For now, the Regional Pathway Steering Committee needs to register as a society, engage with the community to better clarify its role and get to work securing funding.