Was that a Guesstimate?

Today's Morning Star editorial by Rolke, entitled "It's all about vision", focused on Coldstream purchasing the 2 acres of commercially-zoned land between Dutch's campground and Vernon City boundary.

An excerpt:  "If the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative is correct, an additional 107,400 visitors will be attracted to the region annually to use the trail....this could possibly pump $6.7 to $8.7 million into the economy, and even if that figure is off slightly, the extra revenue going into businesses and families will be welcome."

And then halfway through, he states: "Of course we can't ignore the cost of preparing the property for hikers and cyclists....figures aren't known..."

I personally don't have an issue with the District of Coldstream spending $550,000 for that 2 acres of land. 

What I do have an issue with is this:

Who/what determined that hikers and cyclists--well known for being outfitted from head to toe and self-sufficient for their trip--would spend any money at either end of the Trail?
  
Let alone that 107,400 of 'em would inject $6.7 to $8.7 million into the economy.

photo:  internet.  See all those backpacks?  Chock full of water, juice, snacks, and sandwiches.  And toilet paper.

Rolke's story concludes:  "These two acres are a diamond in the rough."

"Might be a cubic zirconia," Kia would've whispered.

Both are shiny and attract people.

So we'll see...if any of those 107,400 people need anything here.