Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
The Municipality of Jasper will work towards making the Mountain Bike Skills Park a reality following a presentation by the Jasper Park Cycling Association (JPCA).
During its April 27 meeting, council's committee of the whole directed administration to work with the JPCA and return with a draft recommended agreement, and also recommended that council approve the remnant site west of parcel GA for a skills park in principle.
鈥淲e just want something fun, something safe, something designed to stay鈥� something easy to maintain and something that can be see as an asset to (the) town,鈥� said JPCA chair Manu Loir-Mongazon during his presentation.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long and bumpy road, but we really think it鈥檚 worth it.鈥�
The proposed park would be situated at the southwest end of town south of Connaught Drive, and unlike the Hinton Bike Park, this one would not have long trails and would be similar in size to a skatepark.
Loir-Mongazon said development was delayed by a lack of momentum in fundraising, which restarted the process with Parks Canada, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The JPCA had asked council for $5,500 total in annual funding for operating and capital expenses, which does not include the cost of construction.
Parks Canada also requires the plan site to indicate the survey lot lines to ensure the development doesn鈥檛 encroach on other lands.
Coun. Jenna McGrath expressed support for the ask and thanked Loir-Mongazon for the all the behind-the-scenes work done by his group.
鈥淚鈥檓 also very excited that the fire is being stoked again on this project,鈥� added Coun. Scott Wilson.
鈥淚n my opinion, I鈥檇 like to give you guys as much support as possible to actually see this through instead of see it drop by the wayside again."
Loir-Mongazon noted that no construction would likely occur in 2021.
COVID-19 update
Chief Administrative Officer Bill Given gave an update to council on COVID-19.
While noting that the number of active cases had dropped over the past week 鈥� from 23 reported on April 18 to five on April 27 鈥� Given stressed that residents shouldn't let their guard down.
He noted how Fort McMurray is now under a state of local emergency due to having the highest number of cases per capita in Alberta.
鈥淚t is a reminder and should be a reminder to all of us here in Jasper that while our cases are trending downward that we still need to maintain vigilance and follow those public health orders,鈥� Given said.
As well, the municipality is participating in the province鈥檚 rapid testing initiative.
The Jasper Fire Department and the Community and Family Services department have each successfully applied to be able to deploy rapid testing for front-line workers with the municipality.
Given added that this program is also available widely to other employers.
Emergency management
In 2019, it was discovered that Jasper did not have the necessary legal authorities in the event of a major emergency, and Parks Canada would have to assume all liability and accountability at that time.
According to administration, Parks Canada does not wish to maintain this authority and agrees that emergency management authority for the town of Jasper should reside with the municipality.
A one-year agreement was put in place by the Superintendent in May 2020, but the Alberta Emergency Management Agency said it did not consider the agreement valid after conducting an emergency management audit.
As such, the committee directed administration to establish an immediate short-term solution to enable the municipality to operate under the Alberta Emergency Management Act.
It also directed administration to work in collaboration with Parks Canada to develop a permanent solution.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very important that we resolve this,鈥� said Coun. Helen Kelleher-Empey.
鈥淲e鈥檙e coming on fire season, and so we need to be able to (have) emergency protocols in place.鈥�
Jasper Connaught Offsite Services
The municipality is working to have water and sewer services installed for the land parcels designated for the Connaught Drive Affordable Apartments project.
After reviewing three proposals, administration suggested WSP get the contract for the detailed design and project management of these offsite services.
The committee recommended that council direct administration to enter into an agreement with WSP for a contract value of $244,800.
Skatepark public engagement
The committee directed administration to proceed with public engagement on the new proposed location for the skatepark.
Back in February, council committed up to $300,000 for a new skatepark, conditional on matching funds from external sources.
Administration is now able to release information on the relocation for public consideration after engaging with the Jasper Skatepark Committee and Newline Skatepark in recent weeks.
In addition to posting an outline of the proposal and updated site plan on the municipal website, the municipality will consult the public via a brief online survey.
The engagement period is slated to occur in May.
