A pump track in Amherstburg in 2025 is still a possibility thanks to a passionate pitch from a member of town council.
A previously budgeted amount of $500,000 was chopped to $250,000 in the capital budget though it was almost removed from the budget altogether.
Councillor Don McArthur moved during Tuesday afternoon’s deliberations to keep the entire $500,000 in the 2025 budget and when that failed, a new pitch to include half of that in the budget as a placeholder to help fundraise was left in.
If funds are raised privately, it would be at that point the budgeted money is paid.
Regarding the first motion, McArthur said it has been in the capital budget for several years. He recalled heading on trips with local youth and town staff to Windsor to tour pump tracks and the youth helped design a pump track as they want it, complete with the berms and other design elements they want.
“Yes, $500,000 is a lot of money. So is two kilometres of road on the 8th Concession,” he said in reference to a previously approved road project.”
McArthur referenced towns that are going ahead with pump tracks, similar to what was done through a WEBC delegation the previous night, and said it would “bring so much joy to so many over 20-25 years.”
“It’s for a different segment of the population,” he said.
McArthur believed it will “add to the economic viability of Amherstburg” and it gives local teens something to do. He believed it could draw in people from around Windsor-Essex County. He quoted Councillor Diane Pouget from a previous meeting regarding another parks issue, stating “footprints in the park means less footprints in the police station.”
North Star High School has created a mountain biking team and said the nearby trails at the Libro Centre have done good things. Adding a pump track at the Libro Centre would do so as well.
“It can be the best facility in southwestern Ontario,” McArthur said of the Libro Centre. “We are so close to having the best recreational facility in Essex County.”
Councillor Molly Allaire opposed the original motion for $500,000, but indicated a pump track could occur at some point in the future.
“Roads are needs, this is a want,” she said. “I’m not saying no. I’m saying no right now.”
Allaire said she would like to do something else with the money this year.
Pouget agreed with Allaire.
“I believe it’s a want,” said Pouget. “It’s not a need. Yes, (a pump track) would be beautiful but it’s not realistic at this time. It’s better to keep it in reserves so we can keep them healthy.”
“This is a tough one,” said Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb. “We have committed to a pump track already.”
Gibb ended up voting against the original motion for the $500,000, citing such ongoing projects as the King’s Navy Yard Park extension, what to do with town hall and other projects.
“I don’t know now is the time,” said Gibb. “I’ve got to say we have to put it off for a year at least.”
Councillor Linden Crain said he was not against a pump track in Amehrstburg, but also voted against keeping $500,000 in the budget.
“Now is not the time,” he believed, also listing the boat ramp, Belle Vue, pickleball courts, park redevelopments, and the new fire hall as projects Amherstburg has on the go.
“I definitely support it but not right now,” said Crain.
Courtney didn’t support the original motion, also believing timing was an issue. He acknowledged lost recreational amenities have not been replaced but the 2025 budget was not the year to put money aside.
“It just feels like the wrong time,” said Courtney. “It doesn’t feel right.”
Mayor Michael Prue suggested delaying that $500,000 and another $500,000 for a concrete bowl for skateboarding/cycling by two years. He said that would allow them more breathing room to get the money and “keep the dream alive.” He praised McArthur’s passion for the project but “we can’t do it,” in reference to the $500,000.
After the motion to keep the $500,000 in the capital budget was defeated, McArthur introduced the motion for $250,000 with that to be spent when the other $250,000 is raised through the community. He said it didn’t impact the tax rate with the capital budget being funded through reserves.
By “kicking it down the road,” costs are only going to go up, McArthur said. With the town keeping $250,000 in the budget, that would allow others to get behind the project and business would have something to contribute to.
“I truly think the community could rally behind this,” he said.
There would be no impetus for a corporation to get behind the project if the town were to outright remove the project, McArthur continued.
“I just don’t see why we wouldn’t try,” he said.
Gibb was convinced by the second motion by McArthur and supported it with Crain agreeing because the town’s money wouldn’t be spent if the other fundraising dollars aren’t raised. Allaire was also convinced by McArthur’s advocacy for the pump track.
Pouget opposed the second motion as she wasn’t against fundraising, but rather spending reserve dollars.
“I can’t vote to give up our reserves for this that we’ve been building for so long,” she said.
Courtney said he admired the creativity shown by McArthur’s second motion and liked the suggested private sector involvement. While noting the town has to take risks at points, this ended up not being one of them for Courtney as he voted against the motion.
Prue was the third person to vote against the second motion, noting it would take a long time to raise that sort of money. He noted the efforts it took by the Belle Vue Conservancy to raise funds and wondered where the money would come from for a pump track. He said if there is “a multi-millionaire or billionaire” that thinks the project is a good idea, that’s one thing, but doubted there was enough time to raise the money.
“I think the timeframe is not appropriate,” said Prue. “It’s a long shot.”
By Ron Giofu
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