We are delighted to be able to contribute to this very ambitious project.  The restored Kinsol Trestle will be one of the jewels of the Trans Canada Trail network.  Through our provincial partner, Trails BC, we will be watching with interest through the construction stage and look forward to celebrating the grand opening in 2011.

Valerie Pringle, Chair

Trans Canada Trail Board of Directors

Economic Development Cowichan and Tourism Cowichan are very supportive of the rehabilitation of the historic Kinsol Trestle. The Testle will be another major tourism draw that will attract a significant number of provincial, national and international tourists from the spring to fall period, which includes the shoulder season, a time when we need to grow our tourism attraction efforts.

Eco-adventure and outdoors enthusiasts will enjoy traversing the trestle, and also walking and hiking the length of the breathtaking Trans Canada Trail. Eventually, the trail will connect to the Galloping Goose and the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit Greater Victoria each year.

The Kinsol Trestle Rehabilitation project is a valuable community-wide effort that is supported not only in our region but throughout Vancouver Island. 

Geoff Millar, Manager

Economic Development Cowichan

The Trestle is an important historical structure that illustrates by its scale and engineering the significant investment that the forest industry has contributed to this community. The story of the forest industry and how or why our communities have grown here are important to tell not only to our visitors but also to the residents of the Cowichan Region.

Roger Stanyer, President

BC Forest Museum Society

Visitors are deeply impressed by the sight of the Trestle built all those years ago employing intense physical labour and without modern machinery. The Kinsol Trestle is a larger than life history lesson no photograph or written description can accurately depict. This is a most worthwhile undertaking to preserve a heritage monument from our past as a bridge to and for our future.

Gerry Giles, Chair

Cowichan Valley Regional District

Many visitors to the Cowichan Region come to enjoy our natural beauty. With 140 kilometers of Cowichan Valley Trail cutting across our region, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders are able to roam for hours. They are rewarded with views of our forests, rivers, lakes, vineyards and farms, just to name a few. As we link our trail system with other trails, both to the north and south, more and more nature-seeking visitors and locals will undoubtedly visit our region. A restored Kinsol Trestle will not only be a popular attraction, it will provide a long-awaited link from Victoria to South Cowichan and the Cowichan Lake area.

Don Barrie, Marketing Coordinator

Cowichan Tourism

The Cowichan Seniors Care Foundation endorses the efforts made towards the restoration and preservation of the Kinsol Trestle. Recreational assets are important to those of us wanting the best positive environment for our more senior residents to achieve health and wellness.

This Trestle, once restored, will provide the missing link to the TransCanada Trail system, used by so many families and seniors for walking, hiking, cycling and horse riding. It is a valuable asset for residents of any age.

Carol Hunt, Executive Director

Cowichan Seniors Care Foundation

Our volunteers always tell our visitors who come to the Valley for sightseeing to visit the Kinsol Trestle.  We point out the history of the Trestle and tell them to enjoy the refreshing 15-minute walk into the site. We also suggest they take a lunch to relax and enjoy the spectacular view.  B.C. cannot miss out on this opportunity to restore one of the greatest wonders of North America.

Rosalie Power, Manager

South Cowichan Chamber of Commerce

The amazing experience of travelling over the Kinsol Trestle as part of the Trans Canada Trail for residents, tourists and history buffs will no doubt be a significant contributor to our local economy. Once restored, the Trestle will become a major destination that will attract numerous visitors who spend money and use services in many local businesses. It is the strength of the small business sector that supports rural economies, and that keeps small communities strong and vibrant.

Cathy Robertson, General Manager

Community Futures Cowichan

We are pleased to support the rehabilitation of the Kinsol Trestle. The work will provide a boost to the Cowichan Valley economy and, when completed, will add vitality to our community’s tourism offerings. We encourage widespread support from Valley businesses and residents to make this project a great success.

Ernie Elliott, Band Manager & CEO

Cowichan Tribes
 

Cycling has become an increasingly appealing aspect of southern Vancouver Island life and attracts many tourists to this beautiful part of the world. Having the Kinsol Trestle rehabilitated and usable will overcome a significant missing link in the Trans Canada Trail network for both cyclists and hikers. I encourage widespread support that will bring this undertaking to reality by adding to the major funding commitments from the Province of BC.
 
John Luton, Councillor, City of Victoria

Long time enthusiast and organizer on behalf of Vancouver Island cycling

For many years the Kinsol Trestle has been a focal point of Cowichan Valley tourism. Stories of logging and steam train enthusiasts from around the world coming to see this imposing structure are legion. The completion of a missing link in the Trans Canada Trail will add not only to the Trestle’s tourism attraction but to its value as part of a recreational resource.
 
We are very pleased that community support for the rehabilitation of the Trestle is being sought to assure its future. The natural beauty of the Koksilah River canyon and the awesome engineering of the Kinsol Trestle will add to the grand tourism offerings throughout BC.

We feel sure that the Cowichan Valley will reap many years of recreational and tourism benefit from having the Kinsol Trestle safe and in use again.
 
Rod Harris, Former President & CEO

Tourism British Columbia

The Board of Directors of the Cowichan Sportsplex have unanimously endorsed the rehabilitation of the Kinsol Trestle. Our client constituents are strongly oriented to a healthy, active lifestyle; many are active hikers, joggers, cyclists and horseback riders. Their utilization of the Trans Canada Trail is presently enhanced by the 2001 restoration of the Holt Creek Trestle which stands as stunning testimonial to a vital part of our Canadian history and the early twentieth century history of Vancouver Island. We believe that a similar restoration of the Kinsol Trestle will further enhance the wonderful sense of vital history of our beautiful island.

Don McClintock, President

Cowichan Sportsplex

The Board of Education of the Cowichan Valley School District strongly supports fundraising efforts to rehabilitate the historic Kinsol Trestle. This world renowned engineering marvel is right in our backyard, and we are certain that teachers will want to take their students to learn about its wonderful history and its link to our traditional forest industry.

Ann Andersen, Chair

Board of Education, Cowichan Valley School District 79