Okanagan Rail Trail gets boost

The generosity of one family in supporting the Okanagan Rail Trail has inspired many others to do so as well.

Last week, a family that’s as yet unidentified donated more than $1 million toward construction of the 49 km-long scenic recreation path between Coldstream and Kelowna.

Directors of the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative, a volunteer group that’s spearheading the $7.9 million fundraising drive, said the donation put the goal within $150,000 of being reached.

“We hoped that announcing the family’s donation would help motivate others to help and that's exactly what happened,” ORTI director Brad Clements said Sunday.

“The online donation activity that evening the announcement was made was incredible; the site really got hammered,” Clements said, adding however that a precise total won't be available until the regularly scheduled update this coming Friday.

On Saturday in Kelowna, staff and customers of Mountain Equipment Co-op gathered at the store to celebrate the organization's donation of $45,000 toward the Okanagan Rail Trail.

If ORTI’s fundraising goal of $7.9 million is exceed on or before the Canada Day target, the extra money would be put toward trail amenities such as washrooms, additional parking, and trail signage.

To donate, visit: okanaganrailtrail.ca.

Daily Courier file photo It was the prospect of opening up for public appreciation views like this, from an old railway trestle in Oyama, that prompt Mountain Equipment Co-Op to donate $45,000 toward the Okanagan Rail Trail construction project.