Construction of an asphalt pump track in Martensville’s Kinsmen Park is slated to begin next month.
And if the weather cooperates, the facility could be ready before the end of this summer, according to Martensville Recreation and Community Services Director Ted Schaeffer.
“We’re just finalizing the agreement with the contracting company this week, and then we’ll be scheduling the date for the start of construction,” said Schaeffer in an interview May 5. “The best case scenario will see it finished and have riders on it by late August.”
The pump track is being built by Canadian Ramp Company at a cost of $299,000. The project is funded through a Municipal Economic Enhancement Program grant the city received from the province in 2020.
The Canadian Ramp Company also designed the track after submitting the winning bid in a competitive process earlier this year.
“We are very happy with the design, and city council made the decision at a meeting last month to award the construction contract to the same company,” said Schaeffer. “There will be certain guarantees in the contract to protect the city’s interests.”
The pump track will be built directly east of the Kyle Syrenne Skate Park on 3rd Street North, across the street from the North Ridge Centennial Community Centre.
Schaeffer said the hard-surface pump track will actually be connected to the skate park, making a smooth transition for bikes, scooters, skateboards and even roller-blades.
“Anything with wheels will be able to use the pump track,” said Schaeffer. “In a way, it’s like an extension of the skate park. It’s a great addition to the existing facility.”
The oval track will feature artificial turf around the outside and in four interior locations.
The pump track is designed to appeal to all ages and skill levels, said Schaeffer.
“The way it’s set up, there are features that allow it to be easy enough for younger riders and beginners, but also make it challenging for experienced riders and older kids.”
A pump track is a course containing hills and berms that are ridden by ‘pumping’ with your arms and legs to propel yourself forward rather than pedaling or pushing.
“It’s different from a BMX track,” said Schaeffer. “The hills are spaced out so that a beginner can get over them one at a time; but a more experienced rider with enough speed can actually jump the gap over one or two hills.”
Schaeffer said the track will be large enough to accommodate physical distancing under public health guidelines.
While the pump track is the biggest project on the agenda for the city’s parks and recreation department this summer, it’s not the only one.
Schaeffer said design work is continuing on a campground facility.
“We’re not sure what the campground will look like at this point,” he said. “Once the design is completed, we’ll be able to determine what can be done this year as far as construction goes.”
With baseball games on the horizon, the installation of lights at one of the ball diamonds at Mocon Field is a priority this summer, said Schaeffer.
“We’re also adding lighting to the pathway system at the south end of town that runs behind Glenview Cove,” he said. “Lights will also be installed along the pathway that runs up 5th Avenue to Main Street.”
Schaeffer said the city will install additional ‘dog stations’ along pathways, including a stretch of 10th Avenue South behind MacCormack Ranch, to provide dog owners with plastic bags and disposal bins for feces.
“We want to encourage people to make sure they pick up after their pets,” he said. “It’s important to keep the paths clean for the entire community to use.”