Grey Highlands council has approved the installation of enhanced cycling infrastructure at Kimberley Hall.
During a council meeting on Aug. 3, a report was brought forward by Director of Economic & Community Development Michele Harris, recommending council move ahead with the proposal by the Kimberley Safety Group.
Council also approved having the group direct a $23,000 grant they received by the Capstone Community Enhancement Fund to the municipality to support the project. Any costs beyond the grant would be covered by the group’s fundraising efforts.
The report says this follows when a volunteer group of community members requested support for a community-led initiative, A Vision of Kimberley: Toward a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous Future, in 2021.
Council supported an application to the Canada Health Communities Initiative program for possible project funding. The application failed to receive funding, but the group sent in another application to the Capstone Infrastructure Community Enhancement fund in 2022 and was able to receive $23,000.
The report says the community of Kimberley is bisected by Grey Road 13, and during the spring, summer and autumn, over 6,000 cyclists and hundreds of hikers come through the village. Currently, there is no infrastructure to support the influx of visitors to the community.
In response, the group is proposing various improvements. These would include constructing and installing a bicycle rack, installing a bicycle repair kit, purchasing and installing a water bottle filling station, and creating a multi-use accessible outdoor space for cyclists and hikers to rest, gather, and a variety of other purposes.
Municipal staff will retain oversight of the project throughout construction, as well as be responsible for maintenance and any needed repairs after installation.
The report adds any additional support, including staff resources needed for this project, be brought to council for consideration and approval before proceeding.
Coun. Dane Nielsen says it is exciting to see the Kimberley Safety Group being successful in obtaining a grant.
“This is the, I think third or fourth situation coming to council recently where we have community groups that are positively working with the municipality to get change done in their communities and it is exciting to see another project that can come to fruition due to some grant funding,” says Nielsen.