Cold Lake Bike Skills Park moving forward, potential fall start for construction

Photo taken from the Facebook group event hosted by Cold Lake Bike Park & Trails and City of Cold Lake in 2018.

The Cold Lake Bicycle Park is pushing forward, despite potential hurdles ahead.

On Tuesday, city council voted in favour to proceed as quickly as possible with the Cold Lake Bicycle Skills Park, pending any environmental screening and historical resources approvals.

“This park has a huge volunteer base from the community looking to support the project,” said Mayor Craig Copeland in a press release.

“It’s great to see so many people keen on seeing this park come to life.”

Council heard that the contractor specializing in bike park construction, Jay Hoots, became available on short notice and that several kilometres of trails could be completed this year, pending provincial approvals and weather.

Work would begin on the “intermediate” and “basic” trails to ensure that the new infrastructure would see the most use.

Advanced trails and other amenities would be subject to further funding.

Funding was committed for $50,000-$200,000 for this initial work.

Provincial approvals are required for the work to begin and may impact the start of construction on the project.

“The city views the trails as a low-impact to the historical features of the radar station,” said Copeland.

“But to do the historical designations, the level of impact will need to be determined by the Provincial Government before we can proceed, and we need to be mindful that this ask has come in quickly before detailed plans and approvals could be finalized. Staff will work through the approval process so that work can start as soon as possible.”

The city is hopeful for a swift turn-around with the approvals so that construction can begin as soon as possible.

“Everyone is eager to get moving on this project, including the designer,” said Copeland.

The historical approvals are currently underway, with an expected date of late September to get things started.

It is anticipated that 160 volunteers could help with the construction work, as that figure was mentioned at Tuesday’s council meeting, who will become part of society that helps oversee the Bike Park.

Designer Jay Hoots presented his vision of the project in June 2018 as the “welcome mat to the world of mountain biking.”