Community Hub Master Plan
We’re taking another action step toward our Network Capacity Study recommendations!
KT is proud that we have been hard at work striving toward the solutions deemed by our recent Capacity Study. We have built more connector trails mitigating bikes from the roads, installed safe road & trail crossing tactics, plus welcomed shuttle service back thanks to RCT. All these initiatives have addressed the imbalances throughout the trail system, continuing to improve the quality of life of our host communities to which we are so grateful.
These initiatives came from YOU as public engagement was a key component of the study. Our very own community members drove our priorities and goals. One of the main conclusions was that KT needs a new Welcome Center, yet it should remain in the East Burke Village. To explore this possibility, KT, through the NEK Collaborative, applied for and was awarded another USDA Rural Business Development Grant to pursue the Master Planning phase of an Outdoor Recreation Community Hub.
Through this awarded funding, professional architectural and engineering services have been obtained through SE Group, for the planning and design of the Hub. This Outdoor Recreation Community Hub will serve as a new KT Welcome Center with offices and parking, as well as host community gatherings, programming, and promote local and regional activities and businesses. The Community Hub, which will be ADA and aMTB (adaptive mountain bike) accessible, will strengthen the economic impact across the region, elevate the quality of experience for community members and visitors, and relieve pressure and safety concerns of the Kingdom Trails host community’s rural village infrastructure.
The Master Plan phase for the NEK Outdoor Recreation Community Hub will involve continued stakeholder and KT landowner engagement, site analysis, and the development of design concepts. Already we have met with our landowners, abutters, area businesses, town administrators, and KT Team members to guide us in this visioning, explore our right of way options, and to be good stewards to the river, land, and especially our neighbors.
This master planning project is expected to take about nine months to complete, wrapping up in the early summer of 2023. Future phases of the project, which we are not ready to pursue yet, will include permitting, final design detailing, and ultimately construction and implementation which will be supported by continued grant writing and fundraising by KT. Please know KT commits to you now, that we will continue to keep you informed every step of the way.
