Red Deer Alberta - There are times in our history when the stars line up to create an unusual opportunity to do something special that future generations will cherish.
 
This is one of those times.
 
A few years ago, Red Deer County was gifted for $1 the relatively unknown historic 2,112-foot long Alberta Central Railway steel trestle across the Red Deer River just a few kilometres southwest of Red Deer along with the CPR right-of-way from Highway 2A to Benalto.
 
Since then the county has thankfully invested several hundred thousand dollars to maintain the trestle's integrity as a significant historic resource.
 
After all, the structure, now known by many as the Mintlaw Bridge, is the longest abandoned railway bridge of its type, not only in Central Alberta, but in Western Canada.
 
Only two other bridges of its type are still actively used by the two major railways, both in Alberta.
 
Furthermore, this bridge (built by a local railway company with dreams of an interprovincial line through Red Deer) represents the opening up of the land west of the Red Deer River for settlement, development, and reaching world markets.
 
It symbolizes the entrepreneurship and work ethic of early settlers to the region.
 
The dilemma is what practical use is there for this important historical structure that justifies the cost of maintaining it as a county-owned historic icon?
 
There really is only one possible use, as part of a regional or national trail network that exposes this important structure to the public and creates an active living resource that would attract people to this region.
 
This is where the rare opportunity comes in.
 
The Trans-Canada Trail Foundation is looking to finalize its route in Central Alberta and is prepared to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of renovating the structure for pedestrian and bicycle use.
 
In addition, there is likely to be significant funding available for special projects to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Canada in 2017, although one significant funding opportunity has already been lost, the Canada 150 grant.
 
Other significant funding is likely to be available for active living, heritage, rural development, and tourism projects.
 
And let's not rule out significant corporate and individual funding for such a high-profile project.
 
But the window of opportunity is brief.
 
Trans-Canada Trail Foundation (TCT) funds, allocated in Alberta by Alberta TrailNet, will go to the projects most likely to be completed, or at least started, by 2017.
 
However, the decisions on those allocations are likely to be made by the end of this year, if not sooner.
 
Let's not kid ourselves, re-purposing this bridge and the linear park approaches will be a multi-million dollar project and there are some challenges to overcome in order to proceed, including addressing the legitimate concerns of adjoining landowners.
 
But it is unlikely that this amount of non-local funding will be available again in the foreseeable future, keeping in mind that Albertans have been among the largest contributors to the TCT.
 
If Red Deer County and the City of Red Deer (who had both lobbied in the late 1990s to bring the TCT to Central Alberta) can work together to commit to this project (one of four possible routings between Red Deer and Springbrook), this landmark could become a major Canadian tourist attractor (adding further opportunities for both county and city residents).
 
With the support of the towns of Sylvan Lake, Penhold, and Innisfail, this regional treasure and its linkages to those communities will be a lasting legacy to be enjoyed by generations to come.
 
Let's not lose this opportunity.
 
If you think this project is worthwhile, please let your municipal councillors know.

Paul Pettypiece - President of the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS).