The Heritage Trail follows the Montreal River in Air Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

partnership

Air Ronge council upset with lack of funding from Trans Canada Trail

Apr 9, 2024 | 2:04 PM

The Village of Air Ronge isn’t satisfied with its partnership with the Trans Canada Trail (TCT).

At a regular council meeting in March, council members voiced their frustration with the amount of funding it’s received from the organization so far. They claimed the municipality has received less than $20,000 in funding to improve the Heritage Trail so it can join the TCT network.

The TCT connects 15,000 rural, urban and Indigenous communities across Canada and spans over 28,000 kilometres. Air Ronge’s Heritage Trail, which is 3.7 km, was accepted into the network in 2021.

“We should have gotten some more money because I called to say we should get more money and they said they were going to send some and that was back in, I think, November,” said Coun. Corey Hardcastle, who has spearheaded the project.

“It’s just not worth it … I said to her, you guys got a pretty sweet deal here. You get to expand your TCT network for very little work and very little money.”

award winners

SMVS collects 23 medals at PAGC Fine Arts Festival

6h ago

events

Council awards $10,000 in community grants

10h ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

Apr 26, 2024

Hardcastle added that if the organization is going to be a “nightmare” to deal with, the village will do its own thing.

Kristen Gabora, the Director of Trail Development and Volunteers for TCT, said the organization has given Air Ronge more than $32,000 for the trail, including a study and funds for boardwalk repairs. She noted there’s also been a commitment to assist with Phase 2 of boardwalk repairs, but TCT is still waiting for the municipality to apply.

“We try to be as positive as we can and to help groups succeed and, I hope if they aren’t feeling the best, that they will reach out,” Gabora explained.

“I would hate to see a group feel bad about being part of TCC because I think it is very exciting and I love to promote these groups and these communities and to empower them. It would be nice to see the trail succeed through there.”

Gabora noted the TCT receives funding from federal, provincial and municipal governments and donors. She said because of the limited funds available and the need to be equitable with all provinces and territories, TCT doesn’t fund 100 per cent of projects. Gabora added the TCT only covers 35 per cent of many project costs with caps on total project costs and per project.

“TCT brings with it exposure for your trail and encourages people to get out. It’s brand awareness, we provide support through funding, which is huge for a lot of areas, especially more remote areas such as Air Ronge,” she said.

—

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com