For immediate release
July 6, 2010

While active fundraising efforts continue to raise the necessary funds to complete the overall project, core rehabilitation work on the historic Kinsol Trestle began July 6. Members from the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Kinsol Trestle Campaign and rehabilitation workers gathered to mark the occasion at the north end of the Trestle site.

“I am pleased to announce that Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd. of Cobble Hill have been named the timber specialist contractor for rehabilitation of the Kinsol Trestle. They will immediately begin core rehabilitation work within the structure to replace failing timbers and prepare the structure to support a new walkway for users of the Cowichan Valley Trail (part of the Trans Canada Trail),” said Gerry Giles, Cowichan Valley Regional District Board Chair.

“Our fundraising team is also excited to see the core rehabilitation work beginning,” said Jack Peake, Kinsol Trestle Campaign Chair. “However, we have not yet reached the overall funding goal that will allow for the more complete rehabilitation of the Trestle. We hope everyone will come out to the Trestle site and view the rehabilitation work and also make a donation to ensure the Trestle remains steadfast for decades to come.”

During the rehabilitation - unlike a conventional worksite - the area around the Kinsol Trestle will be carefully managed to ensure that nothing is disturbed that will materially affect the important heritage elements of the Trestle.

“We’re actually performing a very delicate task, which is to conserve a historic structure, that we care a lot about and hold in very high regard,” said Gord Macdonald. His firm has been instrumental in preparing the detailed rehabilitation plan. A general contractor will soon be announced to undertake construction and installation of the new underslung steel truss walkway atop the trestle. The overall project is expected to create at least 30 direct full-time construction jobs in the Cowichan community.

There will be temporary viewing areas created for the public to watch the work progress from the north side of the Trestle with access from Riverside Road. The rehabilitation project is on target to be largely completed by March 31, 2011, pending additional funds raised in the coming months, in preparation for an official reopening of the Trestle in late spring, 2011.

“A lot of documentation, planning and thought has gone into this design, that people don’t necessarily see. We want to ensure we’re preserving as much of the old structure as we can. That is absolutely our agenda,” said Macdonald.

The rehabilitation work will replace unsound timbers, reinforce six structural piers and build a new 614-foot walkway atop the structure for hikers, runners, cyclists and equestrians. The rehabilitation will ensure that the historic characteristics – the span, height and timbered design qualities – are preserved as the original timbers get replaced due to age and deterioration.

Included in the rehabilitation project are landscaping improvements on both ends of the Trestle, a walkway down into the Koksilah River canyon to view the trestle from below, and an information kiosk that will display the proud story of the Trestle as well as the contributions of the donors who have made the project a reality.

A portion of the $7.5 million rehabilitation project funding has come from the Federal/Provincial infrastructure program, the Island Coastal Economic Trust and Trans Canada Trail. The local community's target fundraising goal is $2 million. To date, approximately $1.1 million of that has been raised.

Donations to the Save the Historic Kinsol Trestle rehabilitation project can be made on-line at www.kinsol.ca or by contacting Diane Myrden or Kim Martin at the Campaign Office - (250) 709-1087 or kinsol@cfcowichan.ca. 

For more information contact:
Dave Traynor, Acumen Communications Group
250-727-7464 (office)
250-516-6232 (mobile)
dave@acumenpr.ca

The Kinsol Trestle Capital Campaign is spearheaded by the Cowichan Foundation, which has a long history of contributing to the social, cultural and physical improvement of communities in the CVRD. The Foundation has partnered with the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and Community Futures, Cowichan, which is providing administrative services and a campaign office. For more information, please visit www.kinsol.ca.