Posted by Chantelle Meriam on Oct 15, 2017
The following article appeared on Castanet over the weekend - https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton/209110/Giant-money-for-trail-project#.WeImVtmYHyp.facebook. Great news on project funding for the Giant's Head Trail project. Very rewarding for Ellen Walker-Matthews, Roch Fortin and other Rotarians that have supported the Giant's Head Grind objectives. Please see the full article, as posted on Castanet, below:
 
Giant Money for Trail Project
- | Story: 209110
Photo: District of Summerland
View from Giant's Head Mountain Park in Summerland
 

The District of Summerland was approved for a sizeable grant from the provincial government on Friday.

As part of $10.1 million in funding announced for rural projects, Summerland received a $435,000 rural dividend grant.

Mayor Peter Waterman said the money will be used for the trail project in Giant's Head Mountain Park. 

"This will not only provide a better use of trails, but it will also bring in environmental aspects to make sure the mountain is properly preserved," he stated.

A master plan had been drafted earlier this year, after a consultant came in and analyzed the environmental sensitivity of the mountain, as well as usage patterns by the public. 

"It's a tremendous opportunity for Summerland ... we become more of a destination," Waterman boasted when asked about what he thinks the grant will enable. 

He added the project will also include creating specialized features for users on the mountain, in accordance with the activities they are doing. 

"People that mountain bike, for example, will have an individual trail pattern that will be different from what they've been using in the past."

Of the 90 local governments, First Nations groups and non-profit groups that were awarded funding from the provincial government, Summerland's grant was the second-largest handed out.

"We certainly appreciate that the government has seen fit to put this in our direction," Waterman said.

Only the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association ($500,000) received a larger grant.

In the South Okanagan, the Town of Osoyoos earned a $100,000 grant and the Town of Oliver was awarded $49,660.