When it comes to getting things done, it all comes down to the money in the bank.
Therefore Coldstream residents who don’t want to wait years for bicycle, trail and roadway projects may have the choice to put their money where their mouth is.
The district is looking into the possibility of further taxation to get the ball rolling on projects in the bicycle and pedestrian master plan.
“The money for these types of projects are normally through taxation already but we have to set priorities,” said Catherine Lord, director of financial administration.
Because there is only so much money in the budget to complete projects, setting priorities means many projects continue to get put on the back burner.
Therefore the district is going to create a financial plan that ties into the bicycle and pedestrian master plan with priorities and a schedule. It will then be brought to the public in a referendum question during the November 2008 election. The question will ask if the public is willing to get more projects completed through taxation.
“Get them to buy into this plan for their community,” said Coun. Jim Garlick, who made the recommendation.
The initiative came forward after a group of residents made their case to council for completion of a paved pathway or shoulder along Kidston Road.
The bicycle and pedestrian master plan does identify the need for an off-road multi-use pathway adjacent to Kidston Road between Kalamalka Provincial Park and Coldstream Creek Road. But budgets and priorities have prevented the project from coming to fruition.
“I’m not here asking for anything you don’t already know,” said local resident Steve Pelkey during a presentation to council Tuesday.
“But let’s not talk about this for another five or 10 years. Let’s do something now.”
Pelkey’s support for the project was joined by 370 people who signed onto a petition for the project.
Each of them agree it is a beautiful yet dangerous stretch of road for anyone who braves walking or cycling it.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Pelkey.
The hope is also that by getting more people active, less vehicles will be on the road.
Currently a lot of people drive their bicycles to the park as it is not safe to ride along the road. And since the province put in pay parking meters in the main parking lot, a number of park users try to cram their vehicles into the small red gate parking lot, which is free.
Others disregard no parking signs and park along the narrow, windy corners of Kidston Road, creating even more of a safety hazard.
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