Concept image of the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway in Lethbridge County. (Image: Link Pathway Society)

By David Opinko

Construction on Phase 1 of Link Pathway approved

Sep 3, 2022 | 7:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE COUNTY, AB – Construction on a section of a recreational pathway that could connect Coaldale and Lethbridge has been approved.

At the Lethbridge County council meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2022, members voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Saint Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID), the Link Pathway Society, and Lethbridge County for Phase 1 of the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway.

Phase 1 of the walking and cycling trail includes a 3.5 km section from the SMRID drainage canal across from 30 Street in Coaldale to an area just before Highway 512, with a turnaround section before the highway.

Phase 2, if approved, would see the pathway continue westward to an area of 43 Street South in Lethbridge. The City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge County will both need to approve the second phase in order for it to go ahead.

If Phase 2 is not approved, the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway would remain an “out and back” trail from Coaldale into Lethbridge County.

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Originally, the entire 15-kilometre pathway was set to be built all at once, but logistical issues forced it to be separated into two parts.

The newly-redesigned pathway is mostly located along public lands. Peter Casurella, who helped with planning efforts for the pathway, says they had to make several detours along the route to avoid any potential conflicts with private property owners in the area.

During consultations, members of the Link Pathway Society heard from 22 property owners who live along the proposed route. Twelve supported the initiative while the other 10 were either opposed or uncertain/indifferent.

Casurella said during the September 1 county council meeting that approving Phase 1 will help to build momentum in the ongoing fundraising efforts.

The estimated cost of the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway is $4,294,177.20 and approximately one-third is funded as of a May 2022 report.

The naming rights were set in March 2021 after Cor Van Raay pledged a $1 million donation to the project.

Timelines for construction were not provided at the Lethbridge County council meeting.

Construction on Phase 1 of the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway was approved by Lethbridge County on September 1, 2022. (Image: Link Pathway Society)

Learn more about the project on the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway website.

READ MORE: Cor Van Raay gives $1M for LINK Regional Pathway between Coaldale and Lethbridge