The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, was in Corner Brook today for a first-hand view of the West Coast Cycling Association’s work to enhance sustainable trail construction and tourism experiences in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Byrne was joined by members of the West Coast Cycling Association board and Mathieu Roy, CEO of the Trans Canada Trail, accompanied by Chief Program Officer Stacey Dakin, for an update on trail development activity in Western Newfoundland.
Support from a three-year investment of $781,990 from the federal-provincial Labour Market Development Agreement, administered by the Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, is helping the West Coast Cycling Association expand its mountain-biking network and drive economic development.
With more than 200 members and over 60 kilometres of trail in their network, the West Coast Cycling Association organizes and hosts the most successful mountain bike event in the province and is completing construction of the longest machine-built mountain bike trail in Atlantic Canada.
The Labour Market Development Agreement funding supports two full-time positions to help the West Coast Cycling Association maintain and develop a workforce focused on sustainable trail construction; heighten awareness of the need for green and sustainable use of the environment to enhance tourism; and engage other partners to address labour-market requirements to develop mountain bike destinations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The West Coast Cycling Association supports the Provincial Government’s goal of increasing access to outdoor recreation opportunities and improving health, wellness, and quality of life. Its work complements the planned development of the Great Coastal Trail as a world-class adventure tourism destination, as well as the Trans Canada Trail, the longest-multiuse trail system in the world, extending over 29,000 kilometres.
Quotes
“The West Coast Cycling Association, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run mountain bike trail stewardship and construction group, has developed an impressive network of recreational trails since it was established in 2010. The energy and expertise of their members is in perfect alignment with the Provincial Government’s vision for the Great Coastal Trail, which will include an extensive mountain biking element, and the Trans Canada Trail, which reaches every province and territory and all three coastlines of Canada. We look forward to working with all partners to share expertise in sustainable trail and workforce development.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
“Interest in mountain biking is growing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The west coast has an active mountain biking community, which makes it an ideal place to support mountain biking infrastructure. This will be a great addition to our tourism product, attracting adventure loving visitors to our province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“The West Coast Cycling Association is very excited to receive this support. We have been an organization of hard-working volunteers and have built the foundations for one of the best trail systems in Atlantic Canada. This contribution allows us to formalize our association by having paid staff support. It will allow us to contribute to developing a local workforce for the design and construction of environmentally sustainable trails, a local workforce for promoting local mountain bike tourism, and a local workforce for creating experiences for that tourism market. Not only are we aware of the potential for our organization to put Western Newfoundland on the map for mountain biking and healthy living, we now have a clear path forward to make this happen.”
Billy Newell
Vice-president, West Coast Cycling Association
Learn more
Great Coastal Trail Development Ramps Up with $7 Million Commitment from the Provincial Government
West Coast Cycling Association
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