Raise your glass
COEUR d’ALENE — The impact of the North Idaho Centennial Trail extends well beyond its 23 miles from Higgens Point to the state line.
On Saturday, you can raise your glass in celebration of that, and be joined by more than 1,000 of your best friends.
Ales for the Trail is scheduled 2 to 8 p.m. at City Park. Tickets, $45, include craft beers, wines, ciders, seltzers, nonalcoholic drinks and music.
Proceeds of the annual event benefit the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation.
The trail is more than a paved path used by runners, cyclists and walkers, said Tabitha Bonner, foundation executive director.
It links people and communities, she said.
“This, I think, is the heart of North Idaho,” Bonner said.
Not just physically and emotionally, but financially, too.
According to the recently released 2022 North Idaho Centennial Trail Economic Contribution Study, the trail creates $7.6 million in sales, $2.8 million in wages and salaries and 88 annual jobs.
It also creates $118,394 in local property tax revenues and $256,889 in state tax contributions, totaling $375,283, according to a study the Vandal Impact Center completed in May.
The analysis assumed that 10% of trail users, 83,301, were nonresidents and spent $41 on meals and drinks per visit, resulting in $3.42 million of new spending in the community.
“The Centennial Trail plays an important role in enhancing the quality of life in the local communities and complementing the regional tourism industry, an important economic growth factor,” the report said. “It promotes exercise, helps in reducing obesity, supports family friendly activities, and helps to unify the communities.”
The study found that, in 2022, the trail was used by 676,368 people in peak season, April to October, and 156,646 off-season, November to March, totaling 833,014 users.
Events such as Ironman Coeur d’Alene, the Coeur d’Alene Marathon and Spring Dash use the trail that offers views of Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Spokane River and surrounding mountains. It also connects neighborhoods, businesses and parks.
“I think it’s very important to our community,” Bonner said. “People realize how important this is to everybody’s businesses.”
She said she hopes it brings a big crowd to Ales for the Trail, one of the foundation’s main fundraisers that has raised from $10,000 to $20,000 in years past.
Money goes to help with maintenance, expansion and improvements of the trail, which was last seal-coated about five years ago and will need to be done again in the next few years.
Some sections of the trail need to be ripped up and replaced.
“The Centennial Trail enhances local property values and improves community access to services and retail trade,” the report said. “The Centennial Trail plays an important and growing economic role in the economy."
The foundation’s other key fundraisers are the Coeur d’Alene Marathon in May, and the Coeur d’Fondo Classic on Sept. 16.
Coeur d’Fondo is a bike ride around Lake Coeur d’Alene set for Sept. 16. The longest route is about 117 miles and the shortest family ride is 14 miles. There are up to 1,000 participants in a normal year. Overall, total direct community spending from the event is about $233,587, the study found.
The nonprofit foundation is funded by donations and grants.
“A lot of people think the trail is paid for by their tax money. It is not,” said Bonner, who came onboard as director in 2019.
Several breweries will offer craft beers at Ales for the Trail and there will be food trucks as well as live music will feature Kyle Richard Music from 2 to 5 p.m. and the Jam Shack Bam from 5 to 8 p.m.
A free bike corral is available for those who cycle in.
VIP tickets include exclusive beer and drinks, great seating, raffle tickets, swag bags and snacks.
“Beer,” Bonner said, laughing when asked to cite a reason why people should attend the event.
She was only half-kidding.
Tickets, info: nictf.org
