After many years of voluntary labour and applying for grants, the pathway to Upper Lambie Gorge, near the Cooma Showground, is now done.

An official grand opening is planned for early in the new year to celebrate its completion.

The Cooma Lions Club members recently completed the project, including the construction of a sturdy bridge that crosses Cooma Back Creek.

The Lions Club had assistance from the Rotary Club of Cooma, with members lending a hand to level off the foot path.

“It’s been a long process,” Lions secretary, Paul McGufficke, said.

“Especially as we didn’t lay any of the concrete over winter.”

Throughout the last 10 to 15 years, Lions Club members have been adding to the path gradually each time they were successful in obtaining government grants.

The pathway initially began from the Southern Cloud Memorial site and now stretching all the way to Upper Lambie Gorge.

A bridge located halfway along the track was built by the Cooma Lions, taking 600 volunteer hours to complete, made possible through a grant from the Boco Rock Community Enhancement Fund.

“Everyone helped, it was a massive club effort,” Mr McGufficke said.

The walk to the Upper Lambie Gorge on the new pathway provides walkers of all ages with a safe and level surface both on the ground and on the new bridge.

“It’s a nice walk there,” Mr McGufficke said.

“A lot of people say they use it and it’s a very safe walk for older people too.”