St. Albert mountain bikers have longed for a track of their very own for quite some time.
Bikes are not allowed at the skateboard park in Red Willow Park, and the BMX track in Riel Park is a different style of riding than a mountain bike.
Saturday's Gazette included a story about local youth who are working with the city to create a new dirt bike track for mountain bikers.
The talks are still preliminary, however the project has been added to the 10-year capital plan — a $200,000 city expense, though the facility would likely cost more. It would be up to the local biking community to fundraise more.
“It's not all about the government handing out money,” said Mayor Nolan Crouse. “The committee will have to find a way to fund this.”
This article spurred a letter to the editor suggesting the city explore a similar partnership with youth to create a 'St. Albert Surf Park.' The letter writer left no name or contact info so it will never appear in print. That said, it is a rather amusing piece of satire:
Dear Mayor Crouse,
My five-year-old is interested in surfing. We have spent all morning and even part of this afternoon looking around St. Albert for a suitable surfing location. We even considered our lovely river and Big Lake.
We are very disappointed to realize there is not an adequate surfing facility here in St. Albert (comparable to those off the coasts of Australia, California and Hawaii).
Our family strongly believes (as I am sure do the rest of St. Albert taxpayers) that St. Albert should have a world-class surfing facility.
My 14- and 15-year-olds are willing to head a committee to build an adequate surfing area in St. Albert. Could you please provide $200,000 to fund the initial study to build the proposed St. Albert Surf Park?
My five-year-old believes he can raise the rest of the money to build the St. Albert Surf Park, although, he feels challenged by the task.
Thank you.
Name withheld
Scrawled on the envelope were the words: "In response to spending in general by this council, the latest of which is $200,000 dirt bike story."
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