City of Cranbrook council last night (March 5) unanimously agreed to change the draft agreement with the Cranbrook Bike Skills Park Society so it can move forward with plans to create a bike skills park near the skateboard park.

In a Feb. 11 letter to council bike park society member Bonnie Hayes noted that no funds will be needed for the park, but “some challenges” are bogging down efforts.

Those challenges are insurance costs and the costs of demolition of the park, should public usage fall by the wayside.

“It is next to impossible for the society to plan for the park’s demise, let alone request grant or sponsorship monies to cover the costs of a possible future demolition of the park. We are suggesting that in return for this responsibility the city will keep, and use at their discretion, all of the dirt, shed, tools and water line that were purchased for the park,” Hayes wrote.

“We would like to see the city become an assisting partner in the success of the park. Other parks constructed by different groups for the city, such as those constructed by service groups, are covered under the city’s insurance. We are requesting a similar agreement for the bike park so the Cranbrook Bike Skills Park Society is not required to incur the expensive, yearly costs of a comprehensive public liability policy of $5 million,” she said, concerning insurance, adding the City of Fernie insures its bike park.

Coun. Bob Whetham said he didn’t believe the city would be faced with much cost to tear down a bike park as it’s mostly piles of dirt, but wondered what insurance costs would amount to for city taxpayers.

Chief administrative officer Will Pearce replied insurance would cost $1,000 a year.

‘They’re trying to give the youth something that’s very popular,” said Coun. Angus Davis, adding the cost to the city “is money in the bank” when considering the youth would have another amenity.

Above photo: Fernie’s Bike Park is always a going concern.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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