MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
The past year has presented significant challenges for Trails Manitoba but has
also seen incredible achievement.
Our most enduring challenge was and is the search for ongoing funding. 2017
was the last year of funding from the province, and the amount received was
far less than in the previous three years. As it developed its own post-
connection strategy, TCT was unsure of the support it could offer to its
regional partners. Trails Manitoba had some uncertain moments as we
discussed our service agreement with TCT, resolving positively early in the
new year.
Fortunately, helping us navigate a year of change was the longest period of
office stability we’ve enjoyed in a long while. The presence of Steve, Darcy and
Janette has provided TM with a consistent voice in discussions with trails
groups, the province and TCT and I thank them for all they have done and
continue to do.
Of course, the biggest news of the year was connection of The Great Trail in
Manitoba and across the country. For a long time it felt like 2017 was never
going to arrive. As we worked toward connection, the pressure and anticipa-
tion leading up to it often clouded the passing of time. It was both speeding by
too quickly and dragging on far too long. As these things often do, now that
the year has come and gone it is hard to really remember the effort and
eagerness of the years prior.
April 2017-April 2018
President/Secretary
Ian Hughes
Treasurer
Shirley Hurst
Grants Com. Chair
Alex Man
Directors
Verna Hare
Charles Zant
Wayne Arsney
Brent Buss
Howard Skrypnyk
James Benson
The year also saw Steve and Darcy work with TCT and the Forks Market site
to help replace the TCT display formerly located in the Tourism Manitoba
pavilion. The opportunity to create a tribute to The Great Trail in one of the
most visible and visited locations in the country appears ready to come true in
2018.
We also met two new members of the TCT staff team, Kristen Gabora and
Mathieu Roy. Kristen and Mathieu have already begun to work closely with
TM and we look forward to continued collaboration.
Building on work begun in 2016, we have increased Board membership and
participation and continue to do so. Many thanks particularly to Steve and
Alex Mann, himself a new Board member just last year, for attracting so many
new and resourceful individuals to the organization.
Challenges remain for us. Although the trail is connected, it is not complete.
Sections remain where travel is not as easy or direct as we would like.
Maintenance and upkeep on a 15,000 kilometre network of trails continue to
prove difficult. And although we have benefited from stability and growth in
the office and at the Board, 2018 brings term ends and changes we have not
fully resolved.
This will be my last AGM as President of Trails Manitoba. Thank you all for
opportunity to walk (and ride, and paddle) with you on this journey to
connect the country.
Ian Hughes
President
Annual Report -2017 Year in Review
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