City to take closer look at pumptrack potential

The City of Yorkton will take a closer look at the potential of a pumptrack in the community following a motion by Councillor Darcy Zaharia at the regular meeting of Council Monday. 

The idea of a pumptrack first came to Council April 26, when a trio of Yorkton residents; Lee Rusnak, James Stephenson and Todd Rusnak, appeared before the regular meeting pitching the idea. 

For those unfamiliar with pump tracks “a pump track is a one-to-three-metre-wide track that can be used for bicycle, skateboard, in-line skates and scooter riders to practice skills on a series of features, such as berms and rollers placed in quick succession,” detailed their report to Council in April. 

“I just think it’s a really great amenity we can bring to Yorkton at a fairly reasonable price,” said Zaharia this Monday. 

Zaharia made a motion to have City Administration look into potential locations and the potential scope of a track project. 

The original presentation identified three potential locales; Heritage Heights Park, near the Gloria Hayden Recreation Centre, and Weinmaster Park, but Administration was instructed to look at other potential sites too. 

The proposal put to Council showed three possible track designs based on three possible locations, with a range in costs from $150,000 to $400,000 that includes design, construction and landscaping, but not drainage. 

Zaharia said the funding could come from the new recreation levy (formerly a levy to pay for the Gallagher Centre expansion). 

Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the process would essentially be the City “just doing our homework” before a decision was formally made. 

But, it was clear Zaharia said a pumptrack being potentially fast-tracked. 

“It’s something that can go up fairly quickly,” he said, adding if the Administration report was completed soon, a track could go forward yet this year. 

But, Coun. Chris Wyatt pumped the brakes on that idea, recalling that drainage was a concern in the original presentation, and noting that requires careful planning. 

“If we’re going to do it, plan it properly,” he said. 

City Manager Lonnie Kaal said the plate of projects is already rather full too. 

“Getting it done this year would be a bit of a challenge,” she said. 

The matter was left to Administration to prepare a report that would be brought back to Council later this year.