M.D. drops feds for help on Kinosoo Ridge Adventure Park

The Adventure Park at Kinosoo Ridge will move forward without help from the federal government.

M.D. of Bonnyville council decided to drop their application for the $800,000 federal ICIP grant because of delays in the grant process.

They had received a letter saying their expression of interest was accepted, but that there was more steps to walk through before the final decision was made with the grant.

The delay would’ve taken another six months.

“This process is just going on and on and on,” said Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

“The reason why we’re pushing forward though is that there is a lot of doubt that there’s any grant money coming this way. Residents are well aware, there has been little federal money that has been put into this area.”

Now, the M.D. will fund the $800,000 from reserves.

The M.D. will put together an RFP (Request for Proposal) for possible designs of the Adventure Park, which wouldn’t have been possible until they knew the future of the grant.

The park will make Kinosoo Ridge a year-long destination.

“When they come back, it’s going to have all sorts of examples and we’ll pick and choose what we are looking for. Then narrow it down.”

If everything goes to plan, construction could begin on the park this summer.

Last year, Alberta Environment conducted a rare plant study on the site, which caused delays.

In 2019, the M.D. set aside $1.9 million for the project.