The bridge over the La Vase River on the Kate Pace Way has received a facelift.
Construction on a new wooden deck running over the bridge has been completed and was unveiled to the public on Thursday.
Dave Mendicino, Chair of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) says that the renovations to the bridge were integral to keeping the trail in use.
“It’s a key connection between North Bay, Callander and the south shore of Lake Nipissing. It’s used by hikers, cyclists and snowmobilers. It’s a key link,” he said.
The construction project cost $33,600 in total. The NBMCA provided $11,600, the Great Trail of Canada provided a $12,000 grant plus $5,000 donations from the South Shore Restoule Snowmobile Club and the Near North Trails Association.
Mendicino says that the number of partners who have stepped up to financially support the new decking is a testament to the importance of the Kate Pace Way.
“It speaks to the quality of life and why people are being attracted to relocate here. The Kate Pace Way is part of the Great Trail of Canada and the Great Trail is part of the largest network of multi-use trails in the world. North Bay and the area are smack-dab in the middle of that and people are attracted to that when they’re looking for places to relocate,” he said.
The completion of the decking also comes as the snowmobiling season approaches. Mendicino is glad that it will be able to get used as snowmobiling is one of the main tourist industries in the area.
The Kate Pace Way is managed by the NBMCA together with the City of North Bay. It is a 12-kilometre pathway named after famed Olympic skier, Kate Pace, who is a native of the city.
