WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden)-
Cyclists, hikers and active transportation (AT) enthusiasts will have a chance to brainstorm with the people in charge of Renfrew County’s roads and trails on October 4 in Cobden. That’s when OVCATA – the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance – holds its Annual General Meeting at 7 p.m. at 17 West Restaurant in Cobden.
Featured speakers will be Steven Boland, the County’s director of public works and engineering and Jason Davies, who co-ordinates the County’s trail system.
“We are really pleased that Steve and Jason will be joining us,” said OVCATA co-chair Ish Theilheimer. “They are busy people with a lot of irons in the fire, so we’re happy they can share some of their time with us to discuss the county’s plans and activities. The public is very much invited, and anyone who cares about our roads and trails should attend.”
OVCATA members and County staff have worked together on an informal basis for years and have developed plans that are in the process of being carried out. Together, for instance, they developed a “matrix” of County roads in need of hardened shoulders for active transportation. Gradually, that plan is now being implemented.
“It will never happen as quickly as we’d like,” said Mr. Theilheimer, “But we’ve had good support from County, and they are making progress. As Steve has told me, it requires a ‘cultural shift,’ and that seems to be taking place.”
It’s an important time to discuss trails, he said, with major work being planned and undertaken on at least two rail lines running through the county. In addition, the County is responsible for the K&P trail from Renfrew to Calabogie and numerous others.
OVCATA was formed in 2016 to provide a formal voice for cycling and AT in general in County and to bring people together through events. This year, it sponsored or was a partner in approximately a dozen community events, including the month-long Silver Chain Challenge in June, in which County riders logged more than 28,000 km. OVCATA has approximately 180 members.
