Battleford Council approved the River Valley location for a new asphalt pump track. (Submitted photo/Town of Battleford)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Recreational addition

Battleford approves River Valley location for pump track construction

Jan 25, 2022 | 3:01 PM

The Town of Battleford has chosen a location to build an asphalt pump track.

This looped sequence of rollers and berms meant to service users with any wheeled sports equipment will sit by the river valley across from the ACT park in the River Valley between 35^th St. and the walking path. The initial space sectioned out for the track is expected to take up around 10,000 square feet.

(Submitted photo/Town of Battleford)

Adminstration also considered the corner of 1^st Ave West and 15^th St., but decided against it, in part for the possibility of future residential development. Ames Leslie told battlefordsNOW that the river valley allows for numerous opportunities to expand the project if necessary.

“If this is really successful we can continue to add to it, whereas the other spot would be taking away from lot sales and is on the outskirts of the community,” he said. “Thirty-fifth just made more sense in the big picture.”

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Ultimately, the location doesn’t come without a few costs. Users will have to cross 35^th Street in order to access it and a new walking path and traffic signs will have to be added. Eventually, there may be a need for a dedicated parking lot coming down from Riverbend and barriers to block vehicles from driving onto the green space.

However, the centrality of the location, visibility and access to the River Valley walking path were additional benefits council considered in making the decision.

During Monday’s council meeting, Leslie said the main reason they are moving forward so quickly with the project is that there are only two companies in Canada that can help with this kind of work.

“If we don’t get on this today and the next couple of weeks and it won’t be till next summer till that this gets done.”

When asked about the possibility of residents who live in that area having to adjust to increased traffic, Leslie noted that the bluff of trees recently removed by the town has created more of a line-up site. He added that it’s important to utilize all of Battleford’s features to their fullest extent and add resources for recreation, particularly for young people.

“The river valley is for everyone, not just the people who live in proximity to it,” Leslie said. “So, we’re going to start taking advantage and using the river valley to start promoting tourism and recreation within our community.”

Town administration are hoping to have the pump track project completed later this year.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW