Plan to link Illecillewaet pedestrian bridge to RMR via new trail explored

Walking trails were identified as a high priority for Revelstoke as part of the city’s resort development strategy.

At their Tuesday, April 14 meeting, Revelstoke City Council will discuss the option of expanding the trail network by adding a trail that will join the south end of the Mark Kingsbury Bridge up to Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

Director of community economic development Alan Mason said currently our trail system is somewhat unorganized, and this addition would help connect it and be attractive to both the community and tourists.

“A lot of people who come to town are not all extreme bikers and hikers,” he said

“I think there is a big market for people looking to use more modern trails.”

The concept is at a preliminary stage.

The city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee is in the process of reviewing the parks and trails master plan. But if council do direct staff to look at planning options for this new trail, it won’t be a straightforward case of construction.

Possible routes for this trail have been explored by city staff several times in the past few years and there are various land ownership issues that will need to be worked out for the plan to proceed. Ownership along various possible routes include the City of Revelstoke, BC Hydro, private and provincial owners. In addition, the south end of the bridge is subject to flooding when reservoir levels are high.

A boardwalk or bridge may be considered as part of the plan.

“I don’t think it would be difficult to move a trail to the left and somehow get up to Arrow Heights and then connect to the resort,” Mason said.