Cathedral City Makes History with the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the CV Link
After 10 years in the making, the first segment of the Coachella Valley (CV) Link opened today in Cathedral City before an overflowing crowd of supporters. Mayor Stan Henry provided opening remarks celebrating the 2.4 mile section that runs from Vista Chino on the north side all the way south to Ramon Road.
Mayor Henry stated that from the very beginning of this process, many people called the idea of a 50-mile trail linking our West Valley to the East Valley specifically for bicyclists, runners, walkers, and neighborhood electric vehicles – a mere pipe dream. However, we persevered, explaining the economic and environmental benefits of residents and visitors alike embracing a pathway that rewards those who live or desire a healthy lifestyle. A pathway that showers your soul with the beauty of our desert flora, our majestic mountains, and our vibrant blue skies. A pathway like no other in the Coachella Valley.
The ceremony also included a special recognition of the late Supervisor John Benoit for his efforts on making the CV Link a reality.
Towards the end of the speeches from the many dignitaries in attendance, the surprising news came from CVAG Executive Director Tom Kirk who announced alongside Mayor Stan Henry that Renova Energy C.E.O. Vince Battaglia has signed an agreement to adopt and pay for the entire operation and maintenance cost of the first segment of the CV Link in Cathedral City. The City estimates this sponsorship of annual maintenance valued at $50,000.
Mayor Henry thanked his City Council colleagues as well as City staff who helped make this project come to fruition.
Other news included, Cathedral City’s plans to partner with the Desert Regional Healthcare District to create new assets along this innovative trail with a brand-new park in the adjacent Dream Homes neighborhood. This new park will offer easy access to the CV Link and other health inspired recreational assets and activities for living a healthy lifestyle.
Mayor Henry stated that it is also his hope that within a few years the CV Link will reach into our downtown area offering an environmental pathway to our new downtown amphitheater, the future Carol Channing Playhouse, the Mary Pickford Theatre, the Perez Road art and design district, and the proposed new gaming facility by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
He went on to state that it will be the CV Link, with its enhanced safety features for bicyclists and neighborhood electric vehicles, that will get people out of carbon fueled vehicles and onto an environmental pathway to a destination of their choice. One day, in the near future, residents who live in the Cathedral Canyon Country Club will take their golf carts from the golf course to downtown for gaming, dining, shopping and connecting with neighbors, family, and friends. Students will walk from neighborhoods east of the wash to their new elementary school in the Dream Homes neighborhood. And tourists will book rooms at nearby DoubleTree and Staybridge Suites hotels to begin their journey into our valley on the new CV Link.
He ended by stating that residents of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella, Thermal, Desert Hot Springs, and Indio will soon share a pathway that unites us geographically, spiritually, and recreationally in this wonder we call the Coachella Valley.
