The chair of the Kinsol Trestle Capital Campaign is thrilled with the latest support.

Jack Peake of Lake Cowichan announced Western Forest Products and members of Local 1-1937 United Steelworkers IWA Council are co-operating to contribute significant timber and lumber for the required rehabilitation of the historic trestle.

Western Forest Products will be providing timber and milling facilities while United Steelworkers Local 1-1937 will arrange for members to volunteer the manpower to produce the timbers and other wood products needed for the trestle rehabilitation. The timbers and wood for the project are a significant aspect of the rehabilitation both physically and in terms of cost.

“This kind of joint community support is a very valuable contribution toward meeting our goal of raising the remaining $1.2 million cost of rehabilitation,” said Peake. “In my mind this just confirms how important this project is to people.”

Approximately $4.8 million of the estimated $6 million rehabilitation costs have already been secured from the federal and provincial governments and other sources.

“We are really happy to see these groups taking a leadership role in helping us to make the Kinsol Trestle rehabilitation project a reality,” said Peake. “This is the first in what we expect will be considerable support from contractors and suppliers in the form of in-kind contributions — a major element in achieving our $2 million fundraising goal.”

Steelworkers first vice-president Brian Butler believes his members will be pleased and proud to be contributing to the success of a community-based project like the Kinsol Trestle, which will have many benefits for the local economy.

“The Kinsol rehabilitation will add jobs and long-term benefits for the Cowichan community, which is where our members live and work,” he said.

WFP’s chief executive officer Steve Frasher has similar sentiments.

“The Kinsol rehabilitation is a significant community project and I am pleased that we are able to participate in it, said Frasher. We hope the commitment of our company and the local union members will encourage others in the community to step forward with their support to once again have the Kinsol Trestle as an active part of our Cowichan Valley well-being,” he said.

The rehabilitation work will replace unsound timbers, reinforce eight structural trestle bents and includes a new 614-foot walkway atop the trestle for hikers, tourists, cyclists and horseback riders. The work will ensure that the historic characteristics of the trestle are preserved as the original timbers are replaced.

When completed the Kinsol Trestle will become part of the Trans Canada Trail and a significant river crossing on the 120-kilometre Cowichan Valley Trail route. Seven other rail trestles on the Cowichan Valley Trail route have previously been rebuilt or rehabilitated for trail use.

The capital campaign to Save the Historic Kinsol Trestle will be continuing its program under the auspices of the Cowichan Foundation to raise funds and community involvement for Trestle rehabilitation.

Peake noted that $30,000 in individual donations have come from people across Canada, which he said shows how broad the support is.

He added that the Trans Canada Trail wants to focus on the Kinsol trestle as one of its destination spots.

Contributions to the rehabilitation project can be made at www.kinsol.ca or by contacting Diane Myrden or Kim Martin at the campaign office, 250-709-1087; by email to info@cfcowichan.ca.