DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury's council has approved in principle the design for the Valarosa Link pathway project, which includes full wheelchair accessibility.
The move came by way of motion at the recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting.
The project approved in principle is for a 481-metre pathway with a five per cent slope at a total cost of $235,040. Council considered five options, ranging in price from $169,501 to $297,707.
The option approved would have a maximum slope of five per cent, making it accessible to wheelchair use.
Valarosa is a neighbourhood on the northeast side of the municipality.
The proposed route would tie in with the existing asphalt pathway east of 16th Street to the existing pathway west of 19th Street, both north of 27th Avenue.
“Given the on-going development in Valarosa, it is expected that, in 2025 and subsequent years, the current roadway, pathway and sidewalk system will eventually connect Valarosa Drive to 29 Ave., the top loop of Memorial Park, and the Wetlands,” administration said in a briefing note to council.
“However, it is unlikely that the full connection will be accessible for all users considering the grades that are present.”
Two of the five options presented were wheelchair accessible.
During discussion of the matter at the recent council meeting, mayor Rhonda Hunter said, “It’s important for me to have accessibility and it’s important to me that our Valarosa residents have an access. We are looking at something that is can be helpful for our Valarosa residents who have waited a long time for this.”
Coun. John Baswick said he would like to see the new pathway include an aesthetic component.
“I want it to be an experience, not just a line,” said Baswick. “I want something to happen, whether it’s a little ridge or trees or a a sitting bench. I want something that makes it an experience for someone to go down there and want to use this particular path.”
Deputy mayor Curt Engel said, “Whatever path we put in it must be wheelchair accessible; that is without question.”
Coun. Bill Windsor said having the pathway wheelchair accessible is a must.
Coun. Dorothy Moore said, “I don’t think that I could support anything to be done now because it does look like this would be a question for the next council.”
Council carried the motion approving in principle the $235,040 pathway option, with Moore voting against.
The motion also included council directing administration to provide a letter of support from the town for the Valarosa Link project grant application for the provincial Active Transportation Fund Grant.
“It is unlikely that a funding announcement would be made before mid-to-late 2025 and, therefore, the project would not be undertaken until 2026 at the earliest,” the town said in a release following the Jan. 14 council meeting.
