The search for the perfect location for Penticton’s first mountain bike skills park has now switched into high gear. The top choices were presented to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee during their May meeting, prompting discussion among members about which would be most suitable – and available within a reasonable timeframe.
A mountain bike skills park is a purpose-built network of features where riders can develop and improve their skills. Penticton and Area Cycling Association (PACA) proposes to build and maintain the site, which would be free for everyone to use. The cost to build the park, according to PACA, could be anywhere from $50,000-150,000, depending on the location.
City Council supported the idea of a skills park earlier this year, referring the matter to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee to investigate further. However, the original location concept for Campbell Mountain has since hit a snag, sending PACA volunteers, City staff and committee members on the hunt for a new site.
Blake Laven, Director of Development Services at the City of Penticton, told the committee that staff realized during discussions with the Province that the process to gain access to the land at Campbell Mountain would be lengthy.
Staff have since been working with PACA to explore different options. One of the locations proposed include the Three Blind Mice trail area. Other ideas included Munson Mountain, the lower grounds of Uplands Elementary school and the Esplanade along Okanagan Lake.
Pat Dowler of PACA pointed out that the park would require at least one acre of land: “In a perfect world, it would be in the 2-3 acre range.”
Committee member Laura Harp commented that the ideal location should be easy to access and suited to all ages. She posed some concerns about the lack of parking at the Three Blind Mice site and also about the popularity of the disc golf course at that location.
“I can see some concerns and conflicts there with trying to squeeze in another high-usage activity,” she said.
However, others commented that the location might be the best suited for a bike skills park, given the fact that it’s already an established mountain biking network maintained by PACA.
Members at large asked about the target age groups for the skills park and how that might impact their preferred location. They discussed the pros and cons of each suggested site.
Committee members requested further information and visual representation of each of the specific sites. It was concluded that staff would bring forward a more detailed report to a future committee meeting for further discussion.
About the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
This Committee typically consists of 13 voting members appointed by City Council. Preference is given to individuals with direct knowledge, interest or experience in community parks and recreation, including nature appreciation, indoor or outdoor recreation, organized sports, trails, health and fitness, water-based activities, or sports tourism and special events.
The committee’s mandate is to make recommendations to Council on all matters referred to them related to parks and recreation. For further details, read the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee’s 2020-2022 Terms of Reference.
Current members include Isaac Gilbert (Chair), James Palanio (Vice Chair), Drew Barnes, Gary Dean, John Archer, Laura Harp, Marc Tougas, Michaela Wooldridge, Robert (Sandy) Ross, Susan Fraser and Tyson Bull.
Are you interested in volunteering?
There are currently two vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee. If you are interested in learning more about applying to become a committee member, visit our Council Committees page.
To read more updates from behind the scenes, go to Committee Updates.