It took six years for the bike skills park to finally find a home within the Riel Industrial Park, but resistance from a local environmental group could veer the project off course once more.
In December 2014, city staff finally got the green light to move to the design phase after the proposed locations were twice turned down – once for its proximity to a historic site and once because outcry from Lacombe residents, who did not want the series of bridges, beams and jumps to take over their green space at Liberton Park.
Although the $200,000 capital project is set to appear on council’s agenda in September, under a request to change the city’s Land Use Bylaw, the plans are still being met with some resistance.
Members of the Big Lake Environment Support Society (BLESS), plan to speak out against the project when the time comes for a public hearing.
BLESS treasurer Miles Constable said the group is disappointed in the choice of location, stating that the city should abide by its own bylaw, which restricts development within the Sturgeon River flood plain.
“I understand that with a bike skills park there’s probably nothing that’s even insurable but we felt that certainly from the environmental perspective they should have abided by their own protection bylaw,” said Constable.
The group is concerned over the ecological effects the new park could have on wildlife.
The river valley acts as an important wildlife corridor and two bird species observed at the site – osprey and common yellowthroat – are considered sensitive.
“Moose are in the city every year,” Constable said. “The more habitat we can provide them with, the less likely they are to be stomping around our backyards looking for bushes or whatnot to eat. (The skills park) also provides a barrier to them. Moose and deer are fairly skittish. They’ll end up wandering through Riel industrial park or Grandin.”
Community and protective services general manager Chris Jardine said the city is working to incorporate a number of mitigation strategies into its concept design to protect the site’s natural areas, which include environmentally sensitive wetland and a significant treed area.
While the trees could be incorporated into the design of the park, the wetlands will be avoided altogether and development will focus on the grassland portion of the site.
A hydrology report also needs to be completed before the project can go before council. The report will determine how the fill, used to create mounds and other features, would displace water in the eventuality of a flood.
St. Albert Bike Association president Jason Wywal said he is excited to see the project moving forward, especially after participating in the first design meeting in April.
“I think it’s going to be fantastic for the community,” he said. “If we get even remotely what (the contractor) is looking at we’re going to see features for all skill levels – everything from beginner riders and little toddlers on their run bikes to older folks who really know how to ride their bikes already.”
