Plans to build a sidewalk on the east side of Norquay Road from Banff’s train station to Fenlands recreation centre have been put off until 2019.
Delaying the project to cut capital costs – originally $50,000 for design in 2015 and $475,000 for construction in 2016 – was far from unanimous, though, with Councillors Brian Standish, Chip Olver and Corrie DiManno voicing safety concerns.
“I get an image of a group of daycare kids walking down that snowy shoulder,” said Olver. “It’s about safety.”
Coun. Stavros Karlos voiced support for the project, but said the Town just can’t afford it right now. “I believe we have difficult decisions to make and this is one of them.”
A pedestrian connection to the Town of Banff’s main indoor recreation facility was identified in the 2013 recreation facilities master plan. The Legacy Trail does run on the opposite side of the road.
The recreation facilities master plan recommended development of key routes to provide safe pedestrian and cycling access linking residential areas to schools, recreation facilities and parks.
The main issue identified in the plan through discussions with Town staff and based on public feedback included access to Fenlands for pedestrians and cyclists, including sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting.
A budget report said preliminary plans for the western half of the Canadian Pacific Railway station site focus on strong pedestrian connections within the site, as well as to adjacent nature trails like the Fenlands Loop.
The report stated this capital project has the potential to dovetail with future private investment on the CPR site and encourage overall pedestrian goals of the transportation master plan.
“In the design year, an agreement will need to be in place with CPR to allow the project to proceed,” stated the report.
“As part of the design, the Town will also require surveying, streetlights and road works design as well as Fortis street lights ownership change over.”
