RECREATION

Skattebo Reach Trail
Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails
Pass Creek Regional Park
Syringa Creek Provincial Park

Columbia Power Corporation (Columbia Power) and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) acquired a significant portfolio of land along the Kootenay River when they purchased the Brilliant Dam in 1996. This property includes 60 titled parcels that cover over 250 hectares of forested and agricultural lands, and another 32 hectares in flooding easements.

These properties are located on both sides of the Brilliant Reservoir, beginning at the Brilliant Dam and extending upstream to the Slocan Pool.

New recreational opportunities are being developed on lands owned by both Columbia Power and CBT. In 1998, Skattebo Reach Trail and Brilliant Overlook Trail were developed by the Castlegar Friends of Parks and Trails with financial support from Columbia Power and are enjoyed by many local hikers. Also over $150,000 has been contributed from Columbia Power and CBT to recreational improvements at Pass Creek and Syringa Creek parks near Castlegar, as well as other local parks through Columbia Power's sponsorship program.

Syringa Creek Provincial Park and Pass Creek Regional Park each received $75,000 from Columbia Power and CBT to offset an expected increase in park use during construction of the project. In 1997, Columbia Power committed to provide these funds as part of the environmental review of the Arrow Lakes Generating Station.

Improvements to Pass Creek Regional Park included the completion of washroom facilities, improvement of the playing fields, the installation of an irrigation system, building new picnic and camping facilities and the addition of a bridge across the creek. Columbia Power also transplanted 14 mature hardwood trees from the Arrow Lakes Generating Station site to provide new shaded areas at Pass Creek Park. At Syringa Creek Park, Columbia Power provided sand, along with funding for other improvements, to enhance the swimming and beach areas.

Throughout the construction of the Arrow Lakes Generating Station, over $100,000 was donated to various recreational projects as a result of partnerships with various agencies.