Five local workers, community members and tourists will benefit from a snowmobile trail restoration project in the South Green Lake area, as a result of more than $72,000 in provincial Job Creation Partnership (JCP) funding.
The provincial government has partnered with the Green Lake Snowmobile Society to provide five local workers with 21 weeks of work experience and skill development training in trail restoration, general construction, plumbing and carpentry.
The workers were hired to clean, widen and repair McIntosh, Dudley Kill trails and an unnamed trail in the Green Lake area, which are used year round. The trails were damaged by the blowdown trees killed by pine beetles and total about 50 kilometres.
The workers will also upgrade Jeep Lake campsite and install 40 new trail signs, two outhouses, and six benches in the Green Lake area.
In addition, the workers will help renovate the Green Lake Snowmobile Clubhouse, which includes expanding the kitchen, meeting room, installing two washrooms, a wheelchair ramp and septic tank, and painting the exterior. The project is expected to finish in March 2015.
Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae says the provincial government is committed to helping British Columbians get the skills they need to find work, and the Green Lake snowmobile community centre and trails project is a shining example.
"This project will help support tourism and the local economy, and provide useful work experience for local workers."
As a snowmobile enthusiast, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she is thrilled to see this project move along and can't wait to ride the trails.
"I commend the Green Lake Snowmobile Society and government of B.C. for working together to help local residents gain new job skills and support healthy recreation and strong communities."
Green Lake Snowmobile Society president and project manager Peter McKie says this project will benefit both the participants and the Green Lake area with an improved meeting place and a rejuvenated trail system.
"It's a pleasure to watch the participants enjoy what they are doing while learning new skills, which will, hopefully, benefit them in their future endeavours."
JCP project participant Jordan Wood says he enjoyed learning the construction and all the little tips to make the work go smoothly throughout the whole process.
Says JCP project participant June Connon: "All the training so far is great. Some of my favourites include building the clubhouse addition from the ground right up to installing the roof. Learning the whole plumbing process was also a lot of fun.
"Anyone going out looking for full-time employment would benefit from a program like this."