The Jasper Park Cycling Association (JPCA) had reason to celebrate during their annual general meeting, May 18, after learning council approved a location for it to build a bike park the previous day.
For more than four years the organization has been eyeing the wooded area across from Mount Robson Inn for the project, however, it wasn't until May 17 that municipal council agreed to release the land. Council passed the motion with the caveat that because the area is zoned residential if a housing proposal comes forward the bike park will have to relocate.
鈥淭here鈥檚 still a lot of planning and things like that, but getting this land has been the crux of this whole project,鈥� said Matt Staneland, chair of the JPCA. 鈥淲ithout the confirmed land we couldn鈥檛 do any fundraising or anything like that, but now we can finally move forward.
鈥淭his was a huge hurdle, but now the real work starts.鈥�
Staneland estimated it will take about a year before the shovel hits the ground, adding that Parks Canada still has to sign off on the proposal.
鈥淗opefully that will be a quick process,鈥� Staneland said.
Once all the official documents have been signed, the planning process鈥攚hich is slated to cost $5,000-$10,000鈥攃an begin. The actual building costs could聽range anywhere between $15,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Staneland.
鈥淚t really depends on how much volunteer engagement we get from the community,鈥� Staneland said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 want a company to come in and do the whole thing. I鈥檇 rather the community be involved and engaged in this project鈥攚e want to see people getting their hands dirty.鈥�
The association is hoping to raise money for the project through fundraising, grants, corporate sponsorships and bursaries. On top of that, Staneland said the association will be looking for donated materials and machine time from contracting companies.
While the fine details haven't been hashed out yet, Staneland said it will be free to use and open to the public.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge area so it will be a place where people can go to practice their skills before taking off on the trails, but it will also be a place where kids can go after school,鈥� Staneland said. 鈥淎 bike park will be a key thing for the community because it will attract people here and keep kids active through their teenage years.鈥�
Along with their big news, Staneland recapped some of the association鈥檚 highlights from the past year, which included a rejuvenated board of 11 enthusiastic cyclists, a revamped website, and their partnership with the Jasper Trail Alliance to improve the Water Tower Trail鈥攐ne of Jasper鈥檚 classic downhill rides.
鈥淏asically the JPCA is here to preserve and enhance cycling opportunities within Jasper National Park,鈥� Staneland said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檝e been quite successful with that over the past few years.鈥�
Aside from moving forward with the bike park, the association is planning to continue to work with the Jasper Trail Alliance to refurbish more popular trails including rerouting a portion of the Henry MacLeod Trail and Razorback Trail. There are also talks about working with Parks Canada to make the Skyline Trail, Loose Skin Trail and Sidewinder Trail available to bikers.
鈥淩ight now those are illegal trails, but they are super fun trails and there鈥檚 really no reason why they shouldn鈥檛 be legal,鈥� Staneland said. 鈥淭hings are in the works, but everything is just moving at a glacial pace right now."
The cyclists will also be striving to open up more trails in Jasper鈥檚 backcountry.
As for future events, JPCA will be bringing back a community ride in June. The association and the Jasper Trail Alliance will also be hosting trail nights again to improve trails starting next month.
Since JPCA began in 2012, Staneland said membership numbers have fluctuated from more than 100 members down to around 20.
鈥淗ow it works is if there is something to rally around then our numbers go up, but if there isn鈥檛 then our numbers go down,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his year we鈥檙e hoping we鈥檒l see a lot of people rallying around the bike park.鈥�
JPCA annual membership is $30. For more information about the association and what it's up to visit: www.jasperparkcycling.com.
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
