April 27, 2009 Pemberton, BC: The Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is pleased to announce that the Squamish-Whistler section of the Sea to Sky Trail is the newest registered section of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT).

Additionally, the Trans Canada Trail Foundation has committed $300,000 in funding support for Sea to Sky Trail development.

“The Sea to Sky Trail is a magnificent addition to the Trans Canada Trail. With its mountain vistas, pristine lakes, old growth forests and dramatic rock formations, it will be a highlight of the Trail for both Canadian and international visitors.” said Valerie Pringle, Trans Canada Trail Board Chair. “We applaud the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, the Sea to Sky Trail Steering Committee and the local volunteers who have dedicated years of work and energy towards this project. We are delighted their team is joining the national TCT endeavour.”

This partnership and support from the Trans Canada Trail is an exciting advancement for the Sea to Sky Trail project; enhancing national awareness and creating significant new partnering opportunities. Currently the route from Whistler to the south has become part of the Trans Canada Trail as developed, the route north through Pemberton & Mt Currie on to Lillooet may be eligible as an addition for future consideration. This 21,000 km national trail, once complete, will be the longest trail network in the world: connecting Canadians from sea to sea to sea.

The route from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish is registered with the TCT as a water route. The land route through this region will be developed in subsequent phases of the project.

Russ Oakley, Chair of the SLRD Board of Directors says “The Sea to Sky Trail will become a wonderful asset for the residents of the SLRD. This world class legacy, connecting most of the communities of the corridor, will deliver lasting economic, social and environmental benefits. Linking of our project to a trail that spans the nation is an exciting step in the Sea to Sky Trail’s development.”

“The Squamish Lillooet Regional District is proud to become part of the national Trail project through this partnership with the Trans Canada Trail,” added Allison Macdonald, Open Spaces Coordinator for the SLRD. “In addition to the generous funding support, this relationship will bring increased national exposure and additional resources. This takes our project to a whole new level.”

Trail signage between Whistler and Squamish will be installed this summer and big improvements to the www.SeaToSkyTrail.ca website are imminent.

For more information contact Allison Macdonald at 604-894-6371 ext 243.