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River valley trails fundraiser

Walking along the river valley trail is an activity many Ponoka residents take advantage

Walking along the river valley trail is an activity many Ponoka residents take advantage of, especially considering there are few communities with a river running through it.

A fundraiser Sept. 23 at 10 a.m., hosted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Ponoka, hopes to benefit from government funds that will match local donations.

Organizer Phyllis Shoop hopes the Let’s Move fundraiser will not only help develop the system, but also keep people active. “We kind of thought we would make it a yearly thing.”

Fundraisers with the church spoke to Mayor Larry Henkelman and Coun. John Jacobs about something needed in the community, explained Shoop. After some discussion the church group decided on the trails.

“We love the trail,” stated Shoop.

The goal is to develop the south part of the trail closer to the Ponoka Industrial Airport to get more families along the path. “We want to get as many people involved.”

Tickets cost $20 and despite some people not being able to attend, they have sponsored people to do the five- or 10-kilometre bike, walk, or run. “One person couldn’t be there but wanted to sponsor five people.”

Money from Alberta TrailNet has already been granted to the town for trail development but it is released by matching donations, explained Jacobs, who praised the church for its initiative.

“To me the most important thing is to get bicycles off the road, plus it’s healthy,” said Jacobs.

Participants will meet at the Riverside Ball Diamonds and follow 46 Street to the end of the north trail, and then to the south trail and return to the ball diamonds. Pre-registration and sponsorship forms are available at the Ponoka Bookstore.