It took some extra time and effort, but thanks to widespread support in Watrous, the community is now enjoying the completion of phase two of an active trail.

The Watrous Rotary Club Trail was officially opened ahead of the community's homecoming celebrations during Canada Day weekend.

Many local fundraisers helped kick in dollars to go to the second phase of the trail, which took around four years to generate enough funds in order to proceed.

Al Mosewich with the Rotary Club says that support in the town is outstanding.

"We're super fortunate to have very good support from the business community and individuals as well," he noted. "It's very gratifying to work on a project and have people support it. Then you see those people using it as well. It's very well used and highly regarded."

The first phase of the trail stretches 1.6 kilometres, while the newly added link goes an additional one kilometre.

Mosewich says that it has given members of the community an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while also getting in some steps.

"I think primarily, it is the issue of health. People need to get out and get some exercise, and a trail system is one way of doing it," he explained. "You can walk on it, you can ride your bike. Even someone who is having mobility issues can go for a walk on a trail."

There is hope for an additional expansion to the trail, which would then link to the trail down the road at Manitou Beach.

"There's a preference for going along more of a nature type of route. One of the proposals is to have the trail cross the highway and follow a valley that reaches to the back end of Wellington Park at Manitou Beach," said Mosewich.

That is one of four proposals that have been looked at for the trail's future, although there are no imminent plans to continue on with its expansion.