A chat with Trail’s mayor

Trail, B.C., is a busy place and Mayor Dieter Bogs tells Kootenay Business all about what’s going on

Mayor Dieter Bogs is proud of Trail's success with the Communities in Bloom program. — Photo courtesy Sandy Lucchini

“Explore your Trail, B.C.” states the motto for this industrial community built on the banks of the Columbia River. Certainly, residents who take the time to reacquaint themselves with their city will find lots going on.

Mayor Dieter Bogs has called Trail home for over 50 years and has been mayor for 16 of those. He jokes that he must have some sort of local classification by now. As a deeply involved and longtime resident, Bogs was glad to talk about some of the city’s initiatives.

The downtown revitalization is one such project. Construction has started on Victoria Street from the bridge past Teck Trail Operations. 

“We had a downtown opportunity action committee work for the last couple of years on what we need to do just to spruce up the downtown,” said Bogs. “It’s a very ambitious program—it’s about $1.4 million that the city is spending and it’s about somewhere over a million dollars that highways will be spending because it will be completely new pavement in that entire area. The next phase will move into the downtown core and upgrade various intersections and some other things that will make the downtown more attractive.”

A section of water lines has been updated already, but most of the construction for Trail’s revitalization involves improving the attractiveness of the area. Updates will include stamped concrete walkways, flower boxes, entrance gates and vegetation. Phase 1 at Victoria Street is scheduled for completion in October 2013. However, it's a multi-year project, said Bogs, as future phases will involve the downtown area and the river esplanade.

The city is also developing plans for a new library and museum in the downtown area. The property is already secured and funding for the project will be up to the residents at the next municipal election.

The Waneta Dam expansion has also been very positive for both Trail and the surrounding area. Mayor Bogs said that jobs created by the project have affected the region very favourably.

A particular point of pride for Trail has been its distinction as a five-bloom community with the non-profit organization, Communities in Bloom. Trail first entered the provincial competition in 2002 and has since brought home various awards for the beautiful flower beds and baskets scattered throughout the town. Judging has already taken place for 2013 and, come October, Trail will know how it has fared this year. Regardless, the community’s enthusiasm for the project results in beauty throughout the city.

Across the board, Trail is an engaged community, as can be seen through the number of initiatives underway.

“There’s a real proud spirit to make the city known nationally, regionally and internationally,” said Bogs. “People come and work hard and carry out these projects . . . I think the whole area is a really good place to live because you get caught up in this excitement.”