For Van Raay donation gets LINK pathway construction moving
By Tim Kalinowski on April 1, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com The new LINK Pathway Legacy Project spanning 15 km from Coaldale to Lethbridge will finally begin construction this spring thanks to the generous support of one private citizen.“The LINK Pathway Legacy Project is a three metre wide pathway that connects Coaldale to the City of Lethbridge through the countryside off-highway without traffic interaction,” explains Link Pathway committee chair Henry Doeve. “It is going to start in Coaldale in the southwest corner where it connects to the Coaldale pathway network, and it will enter the city at 24th Avenue South.”
The fully accessible trail will be for cycling, walking, jogging and other non-motorized modes of transportation, confirms Doeve, and will stretch out into the countryside to offer a wonderful experience for nature enthusiasts.
“In this last year of lockdown and COVID it has become even more evident and more important to give residents and citizens (the opportunity) to be out in the outdoors in facilities that allow for distancing and health and wellness improvement, and just to experience the fresh air,” he says. “We really think the current timing couldn’t be better to implement a pathway of this nature for the region.”
The project has been six years in the planning and includes multiple local municipalities and partners, confirms Doeve, but building up the necessary $2.5 million in funds for the pathway had seen slow progress until local businessman and philanthropist Cor Van Raay recently stepped up to offer a $1 million donation to finally get things moving.
“We really appreciate Cor Van Raay seeing the benefit of this pathway for the residents,” says Doeve. “It is not just a feel-good thing for him — it’s a benefit to the region to give (people) this opportunity.”
“I was an avid biker for many years,” says Van Raay in a statement released to local media. “I kept fit and active, cycling many miles across Canada, Cuba, New Zealand and Europe. However, my favourite spot to cycle was right here at home, riding through the prairie landscape of southern Alberta. I was excited when I heard about the hard work the LINK Pathway group has been doing to make an accessible pathway in our backyard.”
Doeve confirms the project will be renamed the Cor Van Raay Link Pathway Legacy Project in gratitude for the substantial donation, and will have a formal sod-turning in May just as construction begins.
The group also received grants from Alberta Transportation and other private citizens, and is looking to fundraise about $750,000 more to add various amenities to the pathway.
For more information on the Cor Van Raay LINK Pathway Legacy Project visit linkpathway.org. Follow @TimKalHerald on Twitter 4
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