ATV trails and bridges will be getting an upgrade, thanks to Provincial and Federal Government grants.
The grants will go to the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance to help rehabilitate parts of the Hastings Heritage Trail. For North Hastings in particular, $80,000 is allotted for a stretch of the trail north of Bancroft to Lake St. Peter, $60,000 through the Town of Bancroft, $80,000 for a stretch of trail from Marmora to Bancroft, and $25,000 east of Birds Creek to Highlands East.
Projects will include bridge repair, resurfacing and regrading of the trails. The grant money will make sure that all these trails are compliant with safety regulations, and allow for the Heritage Trail to accommodate more users. Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins welcomed the work that the Alliance has done in securing these grants. He says that in some cases, some of the bridges on the Heritage Trail are in desperate need of repair. He says the grant shows that all levels of government recognize the growing popularity of ATV ridership.
Jenkins wants Bancroft to be a place people go to enjoy the trails. While the Town does have accommodation currently, there may not be enough to accommodate the surge of riders coming to the area. He hopes that more accommodations will come to the Town, so that these riders can support local businesses.