Two 12-year-old Fruitvale boys would like to transform a gravel parking lot in the village into a bike park and have already gained interest from council.
Likely the youngest residents to ever make a delegation in the village’s chambers, Dawson den Biesen and Nolan Piche pitched their idea at Monday night’s council meeting.
“A lot of the kids from my neighbourhood and Fruitvale, they like to bike around,” said den Biesen.
“I just kind of had an idea that all the kids needed somewhere to bike.”
The boys have collected 50 signatures from residents who support the creation of a skills park for youth in the vacant village lot beside Mazzochi Park.
Much like the RossGlen bike park in Rossland, the boys envision natural terrain like jumps and tracks made out of dirt and lumber.
The project would depend upon volunteer and financial support.
Mom Kirsten den Biesen is pursuing grant funding from Columbia Basin Trust and in the meantime the village will deliberate on a recommendation related to the use of the land for a bike park at the next committee of the whole meeting.
“I thought it was wonderful,” said Fruitvale Mayor Libby Nelson, referring to their presentation.
“Their interest and their preparation, I thought it was just great.”