It was announced Monday that rebuilding the deadly Calgary Weir into a user-friendly section of river, Harvie Passage, is now fully funded! Construction could start within 30 to 60 days!

The funding is coming from the following sources:

• Province of Alberta, $13.7 million
  
  
• City of Calgary, $2.4 million
  
  
• Calgary Foundation, $3 million
  
  

The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2010. Harvie Passage will consist of a natural-looking river section with two channels. One channel will be an easy float suitable to rafters and boaters. The other channel will have features that make it challenging for canoes and kayaks to use and will appeal to more experienced paddlers and surfers.

Undercurrents' Tony Palmer co-founded the Calgary Weir Project almost a decade ago and is delighted to see that the end is in sight. "Everyone wins! A deadly hazard on the Bow River is removed and paddlers of every skill level will be able to enjoy their sport right in the middle of our great city."

Click here for more details from the Calgary Herald article in today's paper.