Timmins trail network gets financial boost from mining company

A Timmins mining company has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure popular local trails are improved and accessible.

A Timmins mining company has made a substantial funding commitment to the nature trail network that weaves its way throughout the city.

Lakeshore Gold, a subsidiary of Pan American Silver, said it has a soft spot for nature trails in Timmins and has promised $350,000 over five years for the care and maintenance of the 55 kilometres of trails.

“It promotes the outdoor lifestyle,” said Bill Shand, country manager for Pan American Silver’s Canadian operations.

“The city uses this trail network and our employees and their families really use this trail network, so it impacts all the people that we really want to impact and we want to be a good corporate citizen.”

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The Mattagami Region Conservation Authority relies on the generosity of donors and the support from the community to keep the network thriving.

“So we hire anywhere from eight to 12 students, so a lot of the work that’s being done around the city on the trail system is done by students,” said David Vallier, the conservation authority’s general manager.

“And this donation from Lakeshore is extremely appreciated and we’re very grateful for this because that’s going to allow us to continue to ensure that our trails are open, they’re safe, they’re accessible to everybody.”

The conservation authority has counters on the paths and Vallier said there are more than 200,000 users who frequent the parks, including 20,000 people a month in the summertime at Gillies Lake Conservation Area.

Vallier said the plan for this summer is to work on the Rotary Trail, evening out sections and installing culverts in locations that tend to retain water.

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