The Bonnyville Snowdusters are hoping they won't be left out in the cold this winter.
Earlier this month, the local snowmobiling club had an application in front of Bonnyville Town Council requesting to move their warm up shack in town. The old log-style cabin would be located next to the Iron Horse Trail, north of the RCMP building, and serve as a spot for trail users to get out of the cold.
However, the state of the shack has caused some road blocks for the application.
“The dilemma comes that because we're uncertain that the building is going to meet code, if it doesn't meet code it's not going to get a building permit. You could approve a development permit, but it's not going to get a building permit to move on there,” explained Katherine Currie, director of planning and development for the town.
Last October, Currie, along with Coun. Ray Prevost, took a visit to the structure. Given its poor condition, it was suggested that the group would be better off looking at other options, as it wasn't likely to pass the town's building code.
“This particular building, I know it's not up to code but it would do until we can get something in place. In the winter we just need a place where people can warm up,” Snowdusters member Glen Smith told council.
He continued, “The building we're putting on there isn't permanent. We're not going to nail it down and make it permanent. It would just be until the town or Muni-Corr could pay for a trailer or whatever we could get there; it would just be for this winter until we have it finalized.”
Regularly used by snowmobilers, and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts in the winter, there are a number of warm-up shacks along the Iron Horse Trail every so often to offer a break from the cold. Many communities situated along the trail also have developed staging areas where travellers can set up camp for the night – something Bonnyville is lacking.
According to Smith, the staging area is a project that's been in the works for over a decade.
“It's really embarrassing for myself, and I'm sure for the Town of Bonnyville. Last fall I met up with five people that were riding from Edmonton and had loaded in Waskateneau. They were riding this way to see the trestle and had stopped in Bonnyville... They asked where the staging area was and we were right beside it. They said they needed a place for a campfire and to set up their tents; I told them we don't even have a facility for campfires.”
Prevost concurred, “I agree that it's pretty embarrassing. I've travelled the Muni-Corr trail and they have a good set up in Cold Lake, a nice set up in Elk Point, and we still have nothing.”
Town CAO Mark Power was able to put some concerns to rest, explaining that included in next year's budget is money allocated to the staging area. Approximately $195,000 was carried over from 2015. The suggestion was made that an aesthetically-pleasing temporary building be incorporated with the development.
“The plan was to get that property developed with a campground, in conjunction with the relocation of the RV dump station,” Power noted.
As for what to do about a shelter for this season, the issue will be back in front of town council at their first meeting in January.
