The gears are turning when it comes to the future mountain bike trail and skills park in Cold Lake.
On Wednesday, June 6, the City of Cold Lake hosted an information session for residents interested in learning more and providing their input.
“Where this all started, was a delegation came to council on an ask to create some of the visions… From that delegation, council recognized the vision that Chiara Harris put forward and thought there was some tremendous value, to look at it in the budget, and to put some serious consideration on building such a complex for the community,” explained CAO Kevin Nagoya.
Jay Hoots describes his vision for the mountian bike trail and skills park, during an open house last week.
Harris is a young member of the Speed Demons Mountain Bike Club, and has been an avid rider for years.
In 2016, she pitched her idea for a mountain bike trail to council, who picked it up and ran with it.
“I think a mountain bike trail would be very beneficial to us, as it doesn’t only provide physical activity, but it also brings us together. I think it would be a really good place for people to hang out,” Harris told a crowded room. “It’s a place to push and challenge ourselves, a place to go and practice our skills, and a healthy place to connect with others.”
The man in charge of getting the job done is Jay Hoot of Hoots Ltd.
He has designed over 50 bike facilities, and has a clear vision for what could be done for Cold Lake.
The city has already designated the area around the Cold Lake Museum as the future home of the bike trail and skills park, but it was up to Hoots to decide if it was the right fit.
“We have to see how it’s going to fit. We can’t just step into Cold Lake and say ‘yeah, a bike park would be awesome,’ we actually have to look at some of the history, such as the Lakeland area, the settings, and some of the other areas where people are currently riding,” explained Hoots.
From what he can see, there is a definite need for a facility in Cold Lake.
“What we know, is this is a very active community, and not just in the summer, but throughout all four seasons,” he expressed.
Keeping this in mind, he designed a detailed trail system that would be open to mountain bikers, hikers, and cross country skiers.
Hoots added, “The vision from the Speed Demons Mountain Bike Club, that we have made our mandate is to establish a year-round, multi-use non-motorized, single track system, which focuses on mountain biking that runs alongside a skills park and jump facility, within a 120-acre park reserve that surrounds the museum.”
Hoots spent days working with locals to map out the trail system.
In fact, he was surpised to see so many youth spend hours in freezing temperatures as he picked out some of the area’s finer details.
“It’s not often that you get a chance to be fuelled by youth,” Hoots said.
As he walked through the bush and suggested trail area, Hoots considers the topography, soil, current uses of the area, and existing facilities.
Infrastructure, such as access to roads and parking lots, was also reviewed.
Their vision was to create a facility that could be utilized by not only skilled mountain bikers, but also families, and those who are new to the sport.
This was why Hoots designed a trail system that includes both longer and shorter loops, some with high hills and jumps, and others without.
He even carried that concept into the skills park layout, which will include areas for those highly skilled to show off or practice their moves, and a calmer area for anyone trying to learn or take it easy.
“We like to think of the skills park as the welcome mat to the world of mountain biking,” stated Hoots.
So far, it includes pump tracks, balance beams, jumps, a flow trail, and ramps, among others.
But the point of the open house wasn’t only so residents could get a better understanding of what’s to come. It also acted as an opportunity for Hoots to gather feedback from potential users on what they want to see either included or removed.
Nathan Sylvestre, 14, is excited about that a park is being built.
Like Harris, he is a member of the Speed Demons, and is always looking for ways to build off of his mountain biking skills.
“We just want to add another aspect to what we already have. We don’t really have much when it comes to riding. We have the provincial park, and it’s awesome, but there is more that we could access. Having the proper training facilities could change the way we ride, and we can train, and just have fun in general,” he said.
Twelve-year-old Ben Sylvestre agreed, “We want a place to ride in Cold Lake instead of having to drive to Edmonton and other places.”
