It looks like the stars have aligned for off-road cyclists in Chatham-Kent to get a new multi-use pump track in Chatham.
At the Chatham-Kent Council meeting Monday night, councillors will be voting on whether or not to go ahead with a $140,000 pump track that features twists and turns for riders of every caliber.
In a report going before Council, Supervisor of Parks and Horticulture Deborah Veccia said if approved the community pump track will be built on municipally owned lands at 435 Grand Avenue West in Chatham next to the YMCA and the Chatham courthouse.
Construction of the track is expected to begin this summer, if agreements with the Chatham Off-Road Biking Association (CORBA) and Clarke Construction are satisfactory to the General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services and the Director of Legal Services.
Veccia said CORBA has worked with administration and a third-party designer on a concept drawing that will challenge younger riders and allow more skilled riders to enhance their skills.
CORBA has raised $63,000 of the $83,000 needed to build the new track and Clarke Construction has agreed to donate the remaining $57,000 in labour and materials to complete the project.
Veccia said the pump track will be named Thamesview Pump Track and will be connected to the adjacent skate park.
In January of 2022, Council voted to begin the fundraising, community consultations regarding the impact of the track on the neighbourhood, and reviewing full costing, potential partnerships, and budget impacts. Veccia said those tasks have now been completed.
She noted most of the nearby residents and businesses who responded to a survey 16 months ago were in favour of the pump track. Veccia said 71 per cent were in favour of the proposed location, 28 per cent raised concerns about parking in local business spots, and 28 per cent raised concerns regarding garbage.
"CORBA and municipal administration have reviewed these concerns and will incorporate signage to direct traffic to the proper parking location and will include garbage receptacles in the area to address any issues with garbage," Veccia wrote in her report. "The project has also been reviewed with the Chatham-Kent YMCA and they are in full support as it complements existing programming and creates new opportunities."
The YMCA will also allow the riders to use their washrooms and access their water fountains if needed, according to Veccia.
The Ontario Court of Justice has also been consulted regarding the placement of the pump track abutting their parking area and has requested that signs be put up in the parking lot notifying park visitors that courthouse washrooms are off-limits to park users.
The Chatham Scooter Festival group has been involved in assisting with grant opportunities and feels the pump track would be a "tremendous asset" to scooter users in the community.
"The park will service the youth and teen community while providing a low-cost physical activity and a sense of belonging to the community. While the spaces can be used by anyone, they are in neighbourhoods or are activities that appeal to groups who, in some cases, have been left out," the report said. "The initiatives will help to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging in the community among these groups."
The municipality estimates it'll cost $4,000 a year to operate the track and will need $5,000 in annual lifecycle funding. Both of those costs were already approved during the 2023 budget deliberations.