In a sign of community unity and support, the Schacher Shelter was officially opened at the 13 km launch site on Mt 7 last Wednesday.
The construction of this shelter was the impetus of the Golden Cycling Club as part of the 2016 Mt 7 Community Trail Development project that also included improvements to the rotary trail, the development of the first several kilometers of the Schacher trail and rehabilitation and construction of several trails near the rodeo grounds and Keith King ball diamonds.
“Another example of our community ‘rolling up its sleeves’ and working together. Through a combined approach the Town of Golden and the Golden Cycling Club have been able to leverage $45,000 of RMI Funds to make major connectivity improvements within the Town limits, add major safety improvements to mountain bike trails on town land, and help leverage the ‘epic’ ride (Schacher Trail) to the look-out at Mount 7,” said Mayor Ron Oszust. “And when you get to the top, you have this wonderful timber frame structure. What an amazing community we live in.”
Sean Schacher, a Golden community member and employee of Canadian Timberframes who passed away on July 2, 2014, inspired the trail and shelter. Jeremy Harris, a good friend of Sean’s, fellow employee at Canadian Timberframes and president of the Golden Cycling Club lead the charge on this memorial project until his sudden passing this spring. The Golden Cycling Club continues to develop the trails envisioned by these two passionate cyclists and community members.
“On behalf of the Schacher Family, we are glad to see this structure erected in honour of Sean. We are deeply grateful to all of the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and organizations that brought this to fruition. Sean and Jeremy Harris’s vision for this trail was truly inspiring for us and we’re so happy to see that they will continue to inspire the community for many years into the future,” said Chantalle Schacher.
The new structure will provide respite for many mountain lovers, casting shade and providing shelter from the rain. The shelter will be used by hang gliders, paragliders, cyclists, trail runners, hikers and many more people who just want to spend some time with the spectacular mountain view. The shelter was designed by Jeremy Harris and erected by Canadian Timberframes on July 1, 2017.
The construction of this shelter would not have been possible without the generous support of Canadian Timberframes, Golden Concrete, Rona, the BC and AB Hang- gliding and Paragliding Associations, and Columbia Basin Trust.
Other project supporters include the Town of Golden, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Columbia Valley Credit Union, Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the Province of BC, the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, TransRockies, the Rockwater Grill, Alpine Helicopters, Michael Zimmerman, Dogtooth Construction, Gord Barlow, Dave Stonehouse and many more.
The construction of the Schacher Trail is continuing in 2017 and will be connected to the shelter from the 6 km marker on the Mt 7 Road by this autumn. A community celebration and project completion party will be hosted at the shelter once the trail is complete this fall. Stay tuned to the Golden Cycling Club website and Facebook page for more details.
“Many residents and visitors strive to lead active, healthy lifestyles, and the Mount 7 trails give them this opportunity,” said Kindy Gosal, Columbia Basin Trust Director of Special Initiatives. “Not only do the trails connect people through physical pathways, but they connect people with common interests and goals. This is the kind of project our Recreation Infrastructure Grants are here to support.”
Everyone involved in the project felt honoured and proud to be part of it.
“When we were asked to help finish the concrete slab that provides foundation for this structure, we said yes with no hesitation. I’ve spent a lot of time paragliding and mountain biking, growing up here in Golden, and can appreciate both the community value of this structure and I also have a lot of respect for the visionaries that brought it to being, Sean and Jeremy,” said Mike immerman, Zimmerman Construction.
