Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association (SORCA) is planning to build a new mountain bike skills park in Brackendale. The skills park will be located under the BC Hydro right of way in the Cheekeye Fan trails network. It is aimed at youth and the beginner rider, said Ian Lowe, Executive Director of SORCA.
“Building foundation skills on a mountain bike is critical to the safe development of individuals in the sport. Many families and bike operators use the Cheekeye Fan trails as an early development ‘zone’ thus this small skills park makes sense as it provides an ideal coaching and learning environment,” Lowe said.
Although SORCA applied to the crown for the park in 2018, work on building the park is still ongoing. “I believe the original proposal was submitted in 2018 and has a number of authorizations (externally and internally) still required. There are still a number of steps before coming up with a timeline but we do not anticipate any ground-breaking in 2023,” Lowe said.
According to the documents submitted by SORCA, park features will be built from soil with no wood structures, and construction will require a small excavator and a fence along the boundaries of the skills park. The park will be open for the public with no fees.
“Skills parks provide a low cost community asset to the public at no charge, and this is a low impact development in green space,” SORCA says in its application. “Construction will ensure zero impact on the surrounding forest and its use will promote outdoor activity which in turn fosters a greater respect of nature by its users.”
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Funding to construct the park will come from community donations and from guiding companies, bikes shops, and contributions from SORCA members. Ride BC will also donate to the park.
