Lamont Pump Track Bike Park Officially Opens

Lamont Pump Track Bike Park Officially Opens

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Dave Taylor welcomed and thanked the crowd shortly after 6 pm on Sept. 10 to the grand opening of the Lamont Pump Track Bike Park in Hillside Park.

“I’m happy to see so many people out and happy to see so many bikes out because that’s what this whole park is for. Right guys?” The kids replied, “Right.”

Taylor introduced Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk to say a few words. She thanked Mayor Bill Skinner and members of council for inviting her to speak.

“I would like to give you a big thank you Dave. Dave had a vision around nine years ago of a place where his children could go biking. I remember hearing a story that his son would have to go all the way to Sherwood Park for a bike park. Thanks to his vision, hard work, determination, and teamwork; what started as an idea is now a reality today here at Hillside Park.

The bike park committee had a plan, an approximately 3,000 square foot bike park, they fundraised and in true Alberta fashion, made it happen. Thanks to all that dedication, you will benefit for many generations to come.”

Taylor added that it was the kids who started all of this. “We had a group of kids in town a number of years ago who used to ride their bikes off ramps and do jumps at the hospital, and the hospital administrator Harold James was concerned they’d get hurt so we formed a committee of kids, teachers and parents.

There are some here from that original group from 10 years ago. I thank you for your support and for coming out. We have one of those original kids who was six years old and he’ll do a rip around the track once we open.”

He also thanked the local sponsors and people who supported the group’s fundraisers. “So, we want to give a big thank you to all of our sponsors and all of our community members who made this happen. So, give yourselves a round of applause.

We have plans to make it bigger, so in our next phase we will have more skills riding off to the side here. We’ll be doing more fundraising so watch out for us we’re coming for you and get your help again to make this park bigger.”

With that Bill Skinner cut the ribbon to officially open the park. Erik Taylor had the honour of riding the first lap around the track before other bikers follow suit.

Skinner said the bike park has been a long time coming with all of the fundraising that had to be done. “Fortunately, all members of council have shared in the vision of wanting to enhance the personal side of things, family living, and develop this park beyond the field that it was when we first started here. It’s come a long way.

We have a parks and recreation committee which is a committee of council. We also have a number of members from the public sitting on that committee to bring ideas forward and to present recommendations to council. And council has been very receptive to hearing those things and trying to make those visions come to life.

We’re always looking at ideas, things we can do that are achievable to give more options within the community, especially in the last year and a half that’s been so difficult with restrictions and facility closures.”

One example of that was installing an outdoor skating rink for families to enjoy last winter. Skinner said they hope to do the same again. As well, they will continue to keep upgrading the park to enhance the quality of life for residents in the community.