The Town of Banff is going after federal funding for three infrastructure projects, including a long-awaited $1 million permanent skateboard park at the Banff recreation grounds.
The municipality is seeking up to $500,000 for each project through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, which is being coordinated by the federal agency Western Economic Diversification to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
The other capital projects include $905,000 worth of trail and viewpoint improvements at Surprise Corner, and a $1.3 million natural adventure playground for children at the rec grounds.
“These would be legacy projects and we found some we feel would fit the criteria,” said Chad Townsend, the Town of Banff’s environmental manager, at a council meeting Tuesday (June 9). “They are favouring shovel-ready projects that can be delivered by 2017.”
Town of Banff administration chose the three planned projects, some of which are on the capital books for future years, but council identified the skateboard park as its top priority.
“Even though we’re applying for three projects, if we’re successful, they’ll likely only grant us on one,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen, noting there is no guarantee the funding agency would choose council’s priority.
The Banff skateboard park was moved to the rec grounds from the rec centre during redevelopment of the Fenlands as a temporary measure, however, the expansion and increased use of the rec centre meant the former skateboard lands were used for parking.
The cost of a new permanent skateboard park, and associated landscaping, to replace the existing one at the rec grounds, is estimated to be $1 million.
The amount of funding under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total costs of a project, up to a maximum of $500,000.
If successful, the project will require matching funding from the Town of Banff’s 2016-17 capital budgets.
Presently, Banff has identified $500,000 in the 2022 capital budget for the skateboard park – with $250,000 coming from capital reserves, $125,000 in grants and $125,000 in donations.
The recently approved rec grounds redevelopment plan calls for a permanent skateboard park sooner, with a new design trying to accommodate existing features, such as the mini pipe, currently popular with skateboarders.
Banff’s council chamber was jam-packed with members of Banff’s skateboarding community.
Mark Carroll, a prominent local skateboarder, said he was delighted council chose the skateboard park as its top priority, and hopes the grant application is looked upon favourably.
“I think we’re seeing small municipalities that have what we consider to be world-class skate parks, and I think Banff is a little bit behind in its facilities,” he said. “We are overwhelmed with the support council has shown for a new skateboard park.”
Carroll said skateboarders are notorious for being a hard group to rally, but he says Banff’s skateboarding community has been challenging that stereotype by being involved in political decisions.
“We’re pirates. What we do is born out of rebellion and it’s unusual to see this group traditionally rally to be involved,” he said. “We have been shown a lot of respect by the Town.”
Under the Canada 150 program, examples of the types of community infrastructure projects the federal government will consider include community centres, cultural centres and museums, parks, trails, recreational facilities and tourism facilities, among others.
The projects must be completed by 2017 in time to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.
Townsend said the deadline to apply for funds is June 17, and the municipality would need to be available for followup June through August.
He said he anticipates decisions would likely be made by September and announced in advance of the federal election in October.
“We would know by budget time in November if one of these will be accepted,” Townsend said.
Improvements to the popular roadside trail to Surprise Corner were identified in the 2015 trails master plan, part of which is a focus on improving on-road pedestrian and cyclist routes to The Banff Centre.
The trail component of this project involves a new 1.5-metre wide buffered bike pedestrian lane with paint and bollards.
“This would create a more formally defined road shoulder with paint and bollards on the uphill side to create safer conditions for both pedestrians and cyclists,” Townsend said.
In addition, administration has suggested designing a set of upper and lower platforms on the south side of Surprise Corner that, along with a ledge trail along the cliffs, would give visitors a better view of Bow Falls.
The Banff rec grounds redevelopment plan calls for replacement and expansion of the existing playgrounds with a nature play area, with water play elements and an adventure playground.
