The lowering of a 1,200-kilogram, 17-metre bridge over Chapman Creek by helicopter June 26 signalled the end of a two-year trail project that now allows users to travel between Selma Park and the Wilson Creek airport off-road.
The important trail and creek crossing will ultimately serve as Sechelt's portion of the Coast to Coast Trail - an off-road path from ferry to ferry, which is currently being developed.
The project was done in a partnership between the Sunshine Coast Trail Society and the District of Sechelt and, in the end, cost around $54,000 with extra in-kind donations totalling about $10,300.
The District was responsible for securing the proper permits and having the bridge made and put in place, while the society worked to develop the trail.
"There was huge co-operation amongst a whole bunch of groups," said project manager Brad Proctor, noting the trail society is made up of hikers, bikers, horseback riders and ATV users.
All saw the need for an off-road crossing over Chapman Creek.
The society took on the challenge about two years ago, fundraising for the effort and scheduling volunteer work parties in the woods. Soon the District signed on to help, seeing the need for a river crossing and a Sechelt connection on the Coast to Coast Trail.
"It's our responsibility to find the route through Sechelt, and this is going to be a critical part," Sechelt parks foreman Perry Schmitt said.
The District spent about $32,000 to have the bridge engineered and put in place, including the $4,000 helicopter fee to have it flown in.
Schmitt said he was impressed with the precise work done on the bridge crossing by Richard Knutson of Metaltech.
"His efforts were over the top," Schmitt said. "We were just so impressed with how precise everything was with him. Figuring out the installation of a 55-foot bridge down to a 16th of an inch - let's just say my crew was pretty impressed."
Also impressive was the dedication of volunteers who worked on the trail on either side of the bridge and their enthusiasm for the project.
"Everyone involved was very, very enthusiastic, so naturally we were enthused and wanted to help," Schmitt noted.
Proctor said the trail society raised about $22,700 for the trail portion of the project with the two largest donations coming from Mountain Equipment Co-op ($10,000) and the Sechelt Rotary Club ($5,000).
Other companies donated their goods or services to help prepare the trail, including a donation of almost 7,000 kilograms of fir timbers from B.C. Timber Sales to construct bridges along the route.
"There's one key bridge in there, but there's 160 feet [50 metres] of other bridging besides that in the trail," Proctor said, adding Airspan Helicopters flew the timbers in for free.
All the work on the trail can now be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike, although it won't be officially opened with a celebration until likely September.
Schmitt recommends accessing the trail from the west side.
"You go up Selma Park Road and turn on Reservoir Road and drive to the end of the power lines and just walk in from there," he said.
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