Trail’s recent decision to go after grant funding to build a skate park in Trail shows the city’s commitment to the long overdue project, according to the Columbia Youth Community Development Centre (YCDC).
But from the city’s perspective, the wheel park slated for the Gulch is the right choice for the recreational grant application that requires proposed projects to be complete by 2015.
The city has applied for up to $400,000 from the Community Recreation Program Provincial grant, after carefully weighing its options between the planned wheel park and the potential pedestrian bridge.
“I think it shows the kids that have been working really hard on this project for so many years that the city is committed to their cause and investing in them as a whole,” said Morgan-River Jones, YCDC coordinator.
Trail considered the additional expense of completing both projects if provincial funding was secured.
The cost of the pedestrian/bike crossing – which is estimated at $6.5 million – was far more than the $450,000, plus about $200,000 for additional amenities, earmarked for the community park.
But the budget was not the only factor city council looked at last week, when staff pointed out the complexity of the bridge project that could hold utility lines that need to be rerouted from the closed Old Trail Bridge.
The city is currently working toward establishing a partnership with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary to move the regional district’s sewer line, along with Trail’s water line, to such a crossing. But, ultimately, the decision to pursue funding for the wheel park is a natural choice for Trail, which holds a park design and apparent community support.
“(Youth) were very strong in voicing that this is something that they needed for recreation and socializing,” said Jones. “I think it shows that the city heard all of their concerns and are taking it seriously and are willing to support them."