Media Release – Winnipeg welcomes Trans Canada Trail national delegates

For immediate release

Winnipeg, MB: June 11, 2008 — On Friday June 13, the Minister of Healthy Living Kerri Irvin-Ross, along with Paul Jordan of the Winnipeg Trails Association, will officially welcome Trans Canada Trail Board Chair Valerie Pringle and national delegates to Winnipeg. The ceremony will take place at The Forks starting at 1 p.m.

Trans Canada Trail is holding its Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg on Saturday June 14. Forty-five national directors, provincial delegates, members and staff will attend the meeting, hosted by the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association (MRTA).

Following the welcoming ceremony, Minister Irvin-Ross will lead the group to the legislature along the River Walk Trail. There, they will have a tour before continuing on a river ride and walking tour of the St. Boniface Trail.

Both the River Walk and St. Boniface Trails are part of the Trans Canada Trail, which is the world’s longest recreational trail. When completed, it will extend 21,500 kilometres from coast to cost to coast through every province and territory, linking close to 1,000 communities and 33 million Canadians. Manitoba’s portion of the Trans Canada Trail is 1,390 kilometres. Currently 1,075 kilometres or 77 percent is developed and operational.

“Manitoba Recreational Trails Association and local trail groups are real leaders in trail-building. The trails which they have developed are a vital part of the Trans Canada Trail, as well as an important recreational resource for Manitobans and visitors,” said Trans Canada Trail Chair Valerie Pringle. “The route of the national Trail through Manitoba highlights the province’s diverse landscapes and dynamic communities – from the rugged terrain of eastern Manitoba, the popular beaches of Lake Winnipeg, vibrant downtown Winnipeg to the beautiful Spruce Woods Provincial Park. We applaud the efforts of the hundreds of volunteers and communities that are helping us make the national dream of the Trans Canada Trail become a reality. We thank the Government of Manitoba for its continued support.”

Ruth Marr, president of the Manitoba Recreational Trails Association, said, “MRTA is honoured to host the Annual General Meeting and have the opportunity to showcase our local trails, unique signage, beautiful interpretive panels and special initiatives including bridges and trail completion projects.” Besides the Friday walk in the Winnipeg area, MRTA invited directors and delegates to take part in a 3-day mid-week bike ride along the western Crocus Trail from Roblin to Russell, the central Glenboro-South Cypress Trail in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, and the Stanley Trail section close to Morden. Ms Marr suggested, “Some surprises may be in store for our out-of-province cycling visitors!”

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For more information and to set up interviews, please contact:

Jane Craig – Director of Communications, Trans Canada Trail
647-637-5331 jcraig@tctrail.ca

Elisabeth Ostrop – Executive Director, Manitoba Recreational Trails Association
204-786-2688 mrta@mts.net

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