 August 2023 Phase One Complete – Exactly one year from the breaking of ground to the Grand Opening – huge thank-you to everyone that made this possible!!!  PHASE ONE: Grand Opening June 10, 2023 The ceremony occurred under sunny skies, with at least a 150 guests, including M/C Nathan Cullen (MLA for Stikine), Chief Timberwolf – Mabel Forsythe, Regional District representatives Mark Parker and Stoney Stoltenberg, as well as Smithers Mayor Gladys Atrill and Telkwa Mayor Leroy Dykens. Thanks to CICK radio for donating the sound system …. generated with pedal power by Joe Tennant in the photo. After keynote speakers, raffle draws, and a ribbon cutting, we also enjoyed music provided by Jordan Daviel and the Community Band.      We’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to prize donators – Peter and Jill Krause of McBike for the wonderful donation of a GIANT Explore e-bike along with a helmet and 3 tune-ups, Mark Thibeault for the painting “Boreal Forest,” and the Roadhouse for Brunch for 2. Thanks to these donations, support from Smithers Rotary, and all tickets being sold, Cycle 16 raised another $10,000 to support building next phases of the trail! Winners of the Raffle Draw – 1st prize – Peter Minard  2nd prize – Jacquie Anderson  3rd prize – Ted Nugent  PHASE TWO and THREE Planning for Phase Two is well underway. HBH Land Surveying Inc has completed the topographical survey and WSP, the engineering consulting firm, has started the detailed design. Phase Three is also under consideration with procedures underway to prepare it for construction. Fundraising continues to be a HUGE priority so that when all preliminary work is complete, construction will be funded. Fairgrounds Connector Thanks to Tony Harris, Tom Havard, and Rotary’s Joe Tennant for their efforts in raising funds to support the construction of a connecting trail from the bridge through to the Fall Fair grounds making it easier to get to downtown Smithers. The importance of this connector cannot be overstated as it will allow trail users to exit the bridge and immediately get off the highway and away from the traffic. Work will commence after the Fall Fair has ended. Executive The board of directors was pleased to have the July Executive meeting at the kiosk site. We covered a lot of business AND we saw the trail being actively used by cyclists, a scooter user, and some walkers …. it’s wonderful!  Upcoming events Saturdays from now til Aug. 19 — Summer Cycle Cafés with Meg and her staff at Rustic Bakery. At the August 19 Cycling Café, Cycle 16 will have items available for a Silent Auction bidding. The focus is on items generously donated by local artists such as pottery, woodwork, painting, stained glass, a woven basket, and floral arrangements. Bidding will begin on August 19 and conclude on August 26 at the BeSpoke Summer Feast. August 26 — Rustica is once again teaming up with the brilliant Riverside Kitchen to host “The BeSpoke Summer Feast” – a fundraising dinner for Cycle 16. Hosted at Rustica, it will be a multi-course family style meal with live music and a silent auction hosted by Cycle 16. As it is a fundraising dinner, Rustica thought it would be fun to join Cycle 16’s Spoke Campaign so each ticket includes the cost of a Spoke ($25) which will be donated to Cycle 16 in your name. Tickets are $125 and are only available at Mills Office Supply (Speedee/Interior Stationary). Cash or cheque only.  August 24-27 – Cycle 16 is fortunate to have the opportunity to fundraise by working at the Rotary Fall Fair Food Booth at the BV Exhibition. The Rotary Club will pay $12.50/shift to Cycle 16 for volunteers that sign up on our behalf. Shafts are 4 hours long. Minimum age for volunteers is 14 years old. Please consider signing up to support the trail and to be part of this fun community event. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084faea828a3f94-2023/121114937#/ FUNDRAISING SPOKE CAMPAIGN Continues – Cycle 16 is continuing with the Spoke Campaign which will help pay for the construction of Phase Two and Three. The goal is to fill in the spokes on the wheel to reflect the amount of money raised and the amount needed to complete the trail. Funding one metre of the trail costs $600 and completes 24 spokes on the wheel. Each spoke costs $25.00. If you are interested in supporting this project, donations with tax receipts can be made online – https://www.cycle16.ca/spoke-campaign-wheel/ DONATIONS The Cycle 16 fundraising team continues to pursue grants and donations. We hugely appreciate the generosity of individuals and organisations that help to move the project forward, meter by meter! Since the spring, some of our significant donors have included: Grants and Donations –  BC Vision Zero  Wetzin’kwa  – McBike  Thanks to McBike for the generous donation after Cycle 16 volunteers embraced the opportunity to help at the Tour de Smithers. Generous Individuals Meg Roberts and Rustica Bakery  Ann and Glen Green  Judy VanderMuelen has thoughtfully purchased a spoke for each of her grandchildren amounting to $225.00 BOTTLE DONATIONS – Bottles can be left at the Bottle Depot with a note saying to “Please deposit in the Cycle 16 Account” …. these donations have also been adding up! MERCHANDISE Cycle 16 t-shirts continue to be available. See the selection, pricing and ordering information at https://www.cycle16.ca/merchandise/   TRAIL ETIQUETTE Reminders: * Please clean up after your pets. Much like walking a dog in a park or neighbourhood, it is courtesy to others to not leave a mess. * The old Par 3 Golf Course is private property and does not have space for public parking for trail users. * Trail users should be very cautious and ready to yield when crossing the several driveways that come out on the trail to connect with Highway 16. Motorists tend to be aware that the trail exists, but quickly moving bikes are at risk of injury if vehicles are moving along the path. Thanks again to the community, volunteers and users of the trail – you all help to make this an incredibly worthwhile project!!! Copyright © 2023 Cycle 16 Trail, All rights reserved. |
Summer Fun
