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Letter: An opposing point of view

As a non-profit association solely powered through volunteer hours we prefer to spend our limited time and resources advancing worthwhile projects and events that benefit the community as opposed to responding to misinformed letters to the editor. After seeing the most recent letter from Mr. Horejsi and due to a few members’ requests for clarity, we felt a response was in order.
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As a non-profit association solely powered through volunteer hours we prefer to spend our limited time and resources advancing worthwhile projects and events that benefit the community as opposed to responding to misinformed letters to the editor. After seeing the most recent letter from Mr. Horejsi and due to a few members’ requests for clarity, we felt a response was in order.

While his letter was mostly an attempt to speak out against City Hall, the Penticton and Area Cycling Association was also dragged in. We feel it should be noted, however, that for a citizen who has made a previous run for city council he should keep his mind open to the numerous interests that make up a vibrant community and help sustain its economic viability.

Letters such as his can damage the reputation of hard working and well-intentioned groups, therefore, it is our intention to provide some much-needed clarity. Our non-profit began the very long and involved process of applying for a partnership agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. to help sanction, manage, sign and maintain the collection of trails in the Three Blind Mice trail network. The partnership and sanctioning process and then final designation of the trail network took over four years to complete. There were numerous meetings and discussions with the province, City of Penticton, RDOS, Penticton Indian band, and companies with tenure within the existing trails such as the local ranch and guide outfitter. There was also an open house and community call for input.

Our group meets at least annually with employees at the Ministry of Forest Land and Natural Resource Operations. We have discussions on the benefits of the network as well as its impacts on the environment. We have looked at ways to gather more information (including setting up wildlife cameras) in our efforts to balance the needs and growing demands of promoting physical activity to benefit the health of the communities and to promote sport tourism which is quickly becoming BC’s next biggest “natural resource.” We take offence that Mr. Horejsi scoffs at a process that he hasn’t educated himself about. Many different groups use the Three Blind Mice trail network. It is open to all non-motorized recreation.

The leadership provided by PACA within our city has created the unified voice and direction needed to facilitate the relationship between the community, other user groups and the mountain bike community. We fundraise for projects such as signage and bridge upgrades and most importantly, we work closely with the land managers to find the most sustainable use for the land within the context of recreation.

Since we applied to sanction the network, Penticton has hosted some major international off-road cycling events such as Singletrack 6, Trans BC Enduro and the upcoming ITU World CrossTri Championships. These events have brought dollars (numbers are available) and an increased exposure to Penticton’s natural beauty. An exposure that must be managed responsibly in order to be sustainable.

The motivation behind this huge undertaking for PACA four years ago was to protect and preserve these trails. Finding the balance between environmental sustainability and recreational sustainability has been the driving force of our group. Trust that hundreds of hours of volunteer time were spent in meetings, hosting consultations, writing press releases and educating the community to ensure that we were responsible and accountable users of public lands. This work culminated in the Three Blind Mice trails being recognized as a dedicated trail network; recognized by the Province of B.C. as a designated recreational asset. Less than five per cent of the trails in B.C. carry that distinction. A feat that should make Penticton proud.

Laura Harp

On behalf of the Penticton and Area Cycling Association