The Port to Point Trail Association is asking the Goderich council to match the $10,000 commitment they've received from Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh.
Past-President Con Melady points out the provincial policy for constructing a trail like theirs does not exist so they've been given pilot project status that allows them proceed with the hope that the Port to Point Trail will be a model for others to follow. Melady told council this week there are too many compelling reasons for going ahead with the trail not to do it and he cited economic and tourism development as well as health benefits.
Melady explains A-C-W has already commited ten-thousand dollars, which can be used to leverage funding from other levels of government. A-C-W has also agreed to sponsor the trail and has signed an MTO agreement. They have MTO agreement to build the trail and what they need is funding to allow the approval process to go forward. Melady says once they get the approval they can start serious fund-raising to cover the construction cost which is expected to exceed one million dollars. Council has referred the request to their budget deliberations.
Melady also informed councillors that one of the unique benefits of cycling up to the Point Farms Provincial Park is that anyone walking or cycling to a provincial park does not have to pay to get in.