OLDS — An assessment of the potential to create a viable dirt jump track in Olds is expected by the summer.
Town of Olds' chief administrative officer, Brent Williams, has until June 30 to come back to council with an assessment, after council passed a motion to that effect during a February meeting.
During that time, Williams plans to meet with volunteers interested in creating such a track to examine issues like its potential cost and options for where the track could be located.
Clinton Pederson, a rider himself who has a six-year-old son who loves the sport, made the proposal to council for a non-motorized bike area the month previous.
It would consist of a big starting hill with lots of jumps and bumps down the track. Pederson said Rotary Athletic Park might be an ideal location for it.
He told council that currently, no such facility exists in Olds, so his family and others end up travelling to other communities such as Blackfalds to enjoy the sport.
Williams anticipates exploring the idea will likely consume 10 to 15 hours of his/administrative staff’s time.
“I don’t believe there’s much work required in this early phase, which I see as more of engagement and research on costs and Rotary Park itself. Obviously talking with the Rotary Club would be one of those things also,” he said.
“We’re not sure of its feasibility, but administration would like to explore that further, with the council’s blessing.”
Williams said one big question is the suitability of Rotary Athletic Park as a location for the track. He noted that Olds creek runs through there.
“Obviously we have the footprint there, but is that footprint suitable? It is next to a water body of course, with the creek,” he said.
Williams said questions to explore at that location include the feasibility of laying clay down there and “is the substructure worthwhile?”
He also noted that in recent years, the Rotary Club has spent much time and effort planting trees in the area of the creek.
Several councillors expressed their support for the idea, describing the volunteers advocating for the dirt jump track as “passionate” and “enthusiastic.”
“If we’ve got a group here that are passionate, interested and committed and can carry the lion’s share of the work, then why not explore it? So I’m for it,” Coun. Darren Wilson said.
Coun. Heather Ryan echoed that point.
So did Coun. Wanda Blatz.
“I think it’s nice for us to look at all avenues of our sports recreation fields, too,” she said.
“We tend to be a hockey community and perhaps it’s nice to broaden our scope of what is available for individuals to have physical activity within our town, so I think that we really need to look at what they can come back with.”
Mayor Judy Dahl agreed.
“I concur,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of groups in town right now that are looking for athletic venues.”
Coun. Dan Daley also expressed his support for the exploration.
He said it’s a great opportunity to “make it the best amenity that they can within our community.”
Daley said Rotary Athletic Park was just one of the group’s potential locations for the dirt jump track though.
