Construction of a new skateboard park is slated for phase one of Banff recreation grounds redevelopment.
The $7.2 million dollar redevelopment of the rec grounds will be carried out over the next 10 years, with the first phase scheduled to begin next year and estimated to cost about $2.6 million.
Town of Banff administrative officials said construction of a permanent skateboard park, which comes with an overall price tag of $1.1 million, including contingencies, is a high priority.
“The equipment there now is deteriorating quickly and the site it’s on is deteriorating,” said Mary Brewster, the Town of Banff’s recreation services manager.
“Through various community consultations and public surveys the demand and need and support for a skateboard park came out quite high on the list.”
Administration was expected to present the budget for the rec grounds to council at a service review meeting on Wednesday (Nov. 16), but the results of the discussion could not be reported by the time the Outlook went to press.
The 7.4-hectare recreation grounds are currently home to a rugby-soccer pitch, three ball diamonds, two tennis courts, picnic areas, basketball court, playground, community greenhouse and temporary skateboard park.
The redevelopment plan calls for a 1,700 square metre skateboard park to accommodate some of the existing features such as the mini pipe currently popular with skateboarders, and addition of more features.
If the skateboard park gets the green light from council to go ahead in phase one as part of the budget process, Brewster said the first step would be to set up a steering committee to help design a park.
“There’s so many different elements that go into a skateboard park,” she said.
“We would do full on planning sessions and open houses and invite skateboarders in to have a conversation about what they want to see in their park.”
Phase 2 of the rec grounds redevelopment is scheduled for 2018-19 and comes with a $1.6 million price tag. It includes a $751,000 replacement of the north playground and $306,800 for improvements to the rugby-soccer pitch.
One of the more contentious proposals in the rec grounds redevelopment – removal of the east ball diamond – is earmarked for phase 3 of the plan, in 2020-21.
The ball diamond would be replaced with a fenced off-leash dog area and a seasonal outdoor hockey-leisure skating rink that is flooded during winter and left as an open lawn space in other seasons.
Construction of a multi-purpose building and a toboggan hill are also in the plan for those years. The total budget for phase 3 is estimated to be $2.5 million.
Phase 4 in 2022-23 would see construction of a new adventure playground, at a cost of $1.7 million. There would also be a children’s bike park and mini-skills course in that phase of the development.
The final phase of the development would include a canoe landing on the Bow River.
Brewster said the comprehensive plan for the rec grounds includes both new and upgraded amenities requiring life cycle maintenance.
“The improved Banff recreation grounds will provide residents with a mix of new and improved amenities while providing for increased use of day use components by thousands of visitors annually,” she said.
