Vive la difference! The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail connects to La Route Verte in Quebec, to offer cyclists more excitement and variety

Brockville – From city to countryside…wetland to beach…vineyards to museums…and now, from Ontario to Québec. Now the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail offers even more exciting possibilities for Ontario bicyclists and tourists looking for that unusual and rewarding vacation. Vicki Barron, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, today announced the extension of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail from the City of Brockville to the Ontario-Québec border, so that it connects to the over 4300 kms of Québec’s La Route Verte. “The Waterfront Trail and Greenway is a national and provincial resource that currently serves over six million people – including 59% of Ontario’s population”, said Vicki Barron. “We are pleased to make this excellent recreational resource more accessible to the people of Québec”.

The inter-provincial connection will be celebrated with a 5-day bicycling trip from Brockville to Montréal. The bicycling party will consist of representatives of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust (Marlaine Koehler; Vicki Barron, Executive Director; and Nikki Rendle, Project Coordinator) and Kate Harris of the Toronto Star.

The 2005 Tour starts in Brockville, where the group will meet Ann Weir of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce. "The Brockville and District Tourism Advisory Committee is delighted to have Brockville as part of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. This region has amazing scenery, and Brockville has one of the most beautiful waterfronts and historic downtowns on the route. We have seen an
increase in the number of cyclists to our community and are excited to
see this niche group grow, and we are expanding the number of tourism products
available”, said Ann Weir.

Mike Lalonde, Executive Manager of the Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism group, has been spearheading local efforts to make this historic connection and will lead the group on the Ontario portion of the journey.
“Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism is very pleased that the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail has been extended from the City of Brockville east to the Québec border. The marketing efforts of the Waterfront Trail will enhance our present initiatives to promote our existing recreational path to markets in Western Québec, Central & Eastern Ontario, as well as northern US border states”, said Mike Lalonde.

A highlight of the trip will take place Wednesday June 15, when the group will meet Jean-Francois Pronovost, Executive Director of the Vélo Québec Association, at the Québec border. He will lead the group to Montréal along the La Route Verte. La Route Verte is a 4300km network of cycling routes connecting communities in Québec. According to a study commissioned by Vélo Québec, cycling tourism in Québec is making a major contribution to the economy with the annual amount spent by cyclists travelling on the Route Verte totalling $95.4 million in 2000.

The connection of the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail to La Route Verte reflects the growing popularity of cycling vacations in North America. According to the Adventure Travel Report, published by the well-respected Travel Industry Association of America (TIAA), over 27 million North American travelers have taken a cycling vacation, making it the third most popular outdoor vacation, after camping and hiking.

This study is consistent with the Trust’s survey results. In 2002 over 1,000 Waterfront Trail users responded to a comprehensive survey conducted by the Trust. 76% of the survey respondents expressed an interest trail-related holidays. Among cyclists surveyed this number increases to 87%. This popularity is also evident in the use of the Waterfront Trail website. “Over one-million people visit www.waterfronttrail.org during the spring and summer months to download the full-coloured, detailed maps and checkout travel information and itineraries”, said Marlaine Koehler, Program Director for the Trust.

Funding for the extension has come in part from CIBC, which has made a commitment of $300,000 over the next three years. CIBC is a founding corporate partner of the Waterfront Trail and has provided more than $1.2 million since 1996.

"CIBC is proud to sponsor the extension of the trail and revitalization of the waterfront," said Victor Romard, District Leader Personal and Small Business Banking, CIBC. "It is exciting to be a part of a project like this, because it involves the whole community. From recreational activities to appreciating the natural environment - everyone will enjoy the benefits of the extension."

- 30-Contacts:
Marlaine Koehler, Program Director
Waterfront Regeneration Trust
Phone: (416) 943-8080 or cell (416) 520-4205
mkoehler@istar.ca

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