Christina Lake celebrates opening of new pedestrian bridge
Residents, students and regional officials marked the completion of the long-anticipated project
Submitted photo.
Community members gathered to celebrate the opening of a new pedestrian bridge in Christina Lake, marking the completion of a project shaped by local advocacy and collaboration.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Board Chair and Electoral Area C Director Grace McGregor.
Residents, students from Christina Lake Elementary School, RDKB staff, area directors and representatives of partner organizations involved in the project attended the celebration.
“This project shows what’s possible when a community comes together,” McGregor said. “It took a community—and while it’s been a long time coming, it’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision now realized.”
The idea for a pedestrian bridge spanning the creek was first promoted many years ago by the late John Pratt, a Christina Lake resident whose vision helped inspire the project.
His contribution was recognized during the ceremony. His wife, Diane Pratt, attended to see the project completed.
Residents have already begun using the new bridge.
“I’ve been walking on it almost every day,” local author Dani Collins said. “I can’t stay off it. I love it!”
Submitted photo.
Students from Christina Lake Elementary School also attended the opening.
Grade 7 student Blake Adrain spoke on behalf of his classmates about how young people expect to use the bridge.
“We’re excited about this bridge—for walking from school or with our friends,” Adrain said. “We’re looking forward to getting a lot of use out of this bridge in years to come.”
Visitors left messages in a guest book thanking those involved in the project. Comments included “Thanks for the bridge,” “Wonderful! Much needed,” and “Thank you for building this bridge and taking care of this town.”
The celebration concluded with a commemorative cake.
The new pedestrian bridge is intended to improve safety and accessibility for residents and visitors while strengthening connections within the Christina Lake community.
Grand Forks is not under an evacuation alert or order. No active emergency notice for the city or the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary appears on EmergencyInfoBC’s current wildfire list at the publication cutoff.