Crowsnest Pass Herald

16 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Corporal Liam Capron heading to Calgary contributor 859 Crowsnest Squadron Cadet Corporal Liam Capron with 859 Crowsnest Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets applied for and has been selected for a new offering: a five-day Cadet Activity Program (CAP) offering taking place in Calgary from July 4 to 8.

During the COVID-19 pandemic training environment since 2020, most cadet training has been offered online. As the cadet program emerges from COVID-19 related training restrictions, new ways of offering traditional cadet summer training are being rolled out.

First year cadets are now eligible for five-day CAP training and second year cadets are eligible for 12-day

Bike trails expanding on PPK nick allen Pass Herald Reporter The Uniter Riders of Crowsnest (UROC) have received a government grant for expanding the bike trails

CAP training opportunities. More senior cadets can attend more traditional summer training courses for two weeks and longer. Examples include training in leadership and instructional techniques, physical fitness, wilderness survival, rifle marksmanship, and aviation.

Corporal Capron’s five days of training will include air-rifle marksmanship training, cultural tours, hiking and fitness activities and a graduation parade.

Food and accommodations for the cadets attending from across southern Alberta is provided by the Department of National Defence.

859 Crowsnest Squadron cadets typically train at least one day on the weekend each month in addition to their weekly training on Wednesdays (6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Elks Hall, Blairmore) between September and June each year.

New recruits are always welcome, for youth from 12-18 years old. There is no cost to join and uniforms are provided free of charge. There are also opportunities for adults to be an officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre, a component of the Reserve Force concerned with training cadets specifically. The air cadet program is run as a partnership between the Department of National Defence and the civilian Air Cadet League of Canada.

Questions can be directed to 859air@cadets.gc.ca.

Herald Contributor photo Cadet Corporal Liam Capron, centre of 859 Crowsnest Air Cadets attend Cadet Acticitey Program (CAP) in Calgary from July 4 to 8.

on July 4.

Roger Reid, the MLA for Livingston-Macleod, came to drop off the official letter at the skill park at the base of the hill. He explained how it was up to the community to apply for the funding, “It’s at the impetus of community organizations to make the application for grants and usually what happens is an organization like UROC will reach out and say we've applied for this,” said Reid.

He said it was his pleasure to come out and celebrate the investment happening in the communities.

“We've seen a huge increase in interest in mountain biking parks. I know that I've had a number of groups reach out to me that that would love to see some development and it's just become a more popular sport all the time,” said Reid.

Reid added a place like the Crowsnest Pass has natural terrain that lends itself very well to this activity. He also said a lot of people have discovered what a gem this area of the province is.

“I just I want to con-

gratulate UROC for all the hard work they do here to build some great trails and develop the sport and encourage people to get involved,” said Reid Amanda Goodhue, the trail coordinator with UROC, said they are using the $50,000 in funds to expand the trails after noticing an increase in traffic to the area.

“The trailheads are busier on the weekends, there's lots of people out on the trails,” said Goodhue, “We also have trail counter data that we sort of collect throughout the season. So, we've got tangible numbers that show that the trail use has gone up quite a bit in the last few years.”

In terms of local people, she said there are more and more people who live in the community that ride bikes. As of now, they are hoping to complete the expansion by the end of the summer.

“Pass Powderkeg management has been awesome to work with to get approval and work through the project and having just community support in general is has been really good and has helped us get the project off the ground,” said Goodhue.

Go to UROC.ca for more information on the organization, trail information and news on upcoming events.

Nick Allen photo MLA Roger Reid giving Amanda Goodhue, the trail coordinator with United Riders of Crowsnest, a letter outlining the transfer of government funds to the organization for trail expansion on July 4.