Built by the CPR as part of the Columbia & Western Railway, this section of the line was amalgamated with the Kettle Valley Railway and saw service until the last train ran in 1991. Over the course of the next few years the tracks were taken up and the railbed eventually became a rail trail, managed by the Columbia and Western Trail Society (C&WTS). Here, the distinction between the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and the Columbia & Western Rail Trail has become blurred, as the signs on this section refer to the trail as the Kettle Valley Rail Trail or even simply the Trans Canada Trail, though the line was originally part of the Columbia & Western Railway. That's of no real consequence, though, as they're all part of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) now. On the Trans Canada Trail, this section is officially known as the Columbia and Western Trail (Grand Forks to Christina Lake).
The Grand Forks section of the TCT was officially opened with great fanfare in May of 2011. The Grand Forks Gazette covered the ceremonies on May 11, 2011.
Grand Forks trails grand opening this weekend
by Arne Petryshen - Grand Forks Gazette
posted May 11, 2011 at 1:00 PM
This Saturday, the Grand Forks portion of the Trans Canada Trail will be having its grand opening.
Long time trail supporter Chris Moslin said that the celebration would begin with Grand Forks Pipes and Drums playing in various locations around the city.
They’ll make there way to the new pavilion near the black train bridge. Moslin suggests following the pipers as a way to get to the ceremony, which starts at 1 p.m.
“They’re going to lead the people on the new walks and trails to the new plaza,” Moslin said.
There will be speeches followed by a ribbon cutting that will officially open the trail.
After the ribbon is cut, there will be a dedication ceremony to Master Cpl. Darrell Priede, who was raised in Grand Forks. Priede was killed in a helicopter Afghanistan in 2007.
He will be honoured with a plaque on the black train bridge. The bridge was restored by members of the 39th combat engineering squadron, who will also be there to present the plaque to the Priede family.
He said they were hoping to get the full troop of the 39th combat engineering squadron, but they were off on military business.
From the Grand Forks Gazette