The mountain bike skills park could cost the municipality up to $50,000 if council approves funding for it in the 2017 budget.
On Nov. 8, the Jasper Park Cycling Association asked council to build a seasonal water line to the bike park, install signage and provide other amenities such as benches and garbage cans. The cycling association also asked the municipality to commit $5,000 a year to help maintain the park once it鈥檚 built.
According to municipal staff, initial estimates suggest it would cost the town $35,000 to repair an abandoned water line to the bike park.
According to Mark Fercho, the town鈥檚 chief administrative officer, the money would be used to reestablish a waterline that runs under Connaught Drive in the west end of town as well as repair and install new valves.
鈥淚n order to bring water over to that piece of property we looked at a number of options, all of which were considerably more expensive than this,鈥� Fercho said during a council meeting Nov. 15.
鈥淭his is the lowest cost solution.鈥�
According to staff, it will cost another $10,000 to install signs, entrance fencing and garbage receptacles. Both items would be one time costs in the 2017 capital budget.
Staff also recommended council earmark $5,000 a year in the operating budget to help maintain the bike park, with any unspent money to be used for improvements.
During the meeting, several councillors questioned whether it was wise to build a water line to the bike park, because the area where the line would be built could be reclaimed by Parks Canada in the event the land is required for residential development.
Fercho acknowledged their concerns, but explained that if/when the area is developed the waterline will have to be torn out either way.
鈥淲e鈥檇 have to tear it up in order to put the development in so this is the solution that鈥檚 going to work until such time as it鈥檚 ever developed,鈥� said Fercho.
鈥淭o do something permanent would be about $120,000, to do something temporary is $35,000.鈥�
As for putting aside $5,000 annually to maintain the park, Yvonne McNabb, director of culture and recreation, told councillors the cycling association鈥檚 request was in line with how much the town spends to maintain the skatepark every year.
Councillors unanimously approved including the topic during budget deliberations on Nov. 28 and 29. The public meetings will be held in the council chambers at the Library and Cultural Centre at 7 p.m.
Paul Clarke
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