Work to light up the cross-country ski trails out at Mount Evergreen should be completed this summer.

So far, about half of the six kilometers route has been lit.

The City of Kenora has contributed $100,000 towards the project, with the money coming from the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

Tom Mosindy is president of the Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club and the lighted trails will be a huge asset to the city.

“The light project is something that we’ve dreamed about for decades,” says Mosindy.

“For us it’s a game changer. It allows us to host our youth development programs in the evenings, in the darkness in December and January. It also provides our regular skiers with the opportunity to ski during the week, not only weekends.”

Mosindy adds they’ve already seen an increase in usage with the light project only partially done.

“We have already seen the benefit from lights with greater uptake in cross-country skiing in Kenora. We are also seeing inquiries and participation by visitors to the community during the winter.”

Last year the province announced $490,000 for the project and the federal government chipped in a further $500,000.

The trails are located at Mount Evergreen, but the Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club is a separate entity from the Mount Evergreen Ski Club.