22 September 2006
Buhler Brokers Deal for New Cycle Path
| |
A delighted Katz (left) with Buhler, calls purchase of
50-acres for the off-street cycle path "clean and green".
|
Winnipeg Manitoba - The city is rolling toward a continuous
off-street cycling path from central Winnipeg to an area near East St. Paul, possibly by next year, thanks to local
philanthropist John Buhler.
The head of Buhler Industries has arranged a purchase of 50 acres of the former Marconi Spur railway line from Canadian Pacific for
$1.7 million, and the deal allows the city to plan with non-profit groups to construct a seven-kilometre paved
or gravel trail from Elmwood running northeast to the far end of North Kildonan.
"Isn't this beautiful? I can't even see the end of it," Buhler, 73, told the Sun yesterday at the former rail line running
between Raleigh Street and Gateway Road. "I've driven by here and just dreamed."
The purchase and Buhler's transfer of the land to the city for the same price will pave the way for work to begin likely next spring on
some form of trail - perhaps with asphalt, gravel or other soft surface - to give cyclists their longest uninterrupted
off-road track within Winnipeg's limits.
The trail's construction is anticipated to cost about $600,000, with Buhler already committing up to $150,000 for the work.
"AWESOME IDEA"
Non-profit organizations including Rivers West-Red River Corridor Association Inc. and the Winnipeg Trails
Association will plan the route and ante up funds to assist the city in hopes of opening the path within a couple of years.
Sigrun Bailey, a cyclist who stopped by as Buhler made the announcement at the green space, called the project an "awesome
idea" for recreation in the city.
"We've been looking for something like this for a lot of years. There are people who cycle to work all the time, including in the
winter," she said. "And cycling on Henderson Highway can be pretty treacherous with all the traffic. So this would be an ideal
thing."
The trail would play a large part in connecting Winnipeg's cycling routes, which advocates have long pushed politicians to complete. The
path - from Nairn Avenue in Elmwood to Glenway Avenue in North Kildonan - is also touted by Mayor Sam Katz as a potential corridor for a
possible rapid transit system down the road.
"This to me is what I call clean and green," Katz said. "This is what I call environmental infrastructure. And now we're
focusing on that."
Some observers quietly voiced cynicism about Katz making the announcement while he campaigns for re-election.
Mayoral challenger Kaj Hasselriis suggested Katz is riding on Buhler's coattails, having little to do with the deal.
Buhler, however, said he merely spurred the transaction by "driving a hard bargain" for a land price that the city perhaps
wouldn't have received.
|
