The Windsor-Essex Bike Community (WEBC) has been busy the last few months creating new mountain biking trails and they are now officially open.
While the second phase of the three-phase mountain bike trail project was completed a few weeks ago at the Libro Centre, the official opening was held last Saturday morning. Council members, sponsors, supporters and local cyclists gathered at the base of the berm near the gravel parking lot for a ribbon cutting and the reveal of sponsorship signage.
Mayor Michael Prue thanked staff from the town’s parks and recreation department for their work on the project, but saved the bulk of his thanks for WEBC volunteers. He said WEBC directors James Braakman, Glyn Buck, Ryan Henderson, and Dave Doherty as well as community ambassador Amanda Dywelska approached town council with an idea to create trails on the berms at the Libro Centre and do so with no taxpayer dollars.
“It’s a labour of love,” said Prue. “People came together to build their dream.”
The town can’t wait for the next phase of the project, the mayor added.
“Everyone on council is waiting for phase three,” said Prue. “It can be the biggest and best in all of southwestern Ontario.”
Braakman said phase two is also referred to as the “frontier trails” and is about three kilometres. When combined with the trails built as phase one, there are now five kilometres of cycling trails at the Libro Centre.
“This is an amazing show of community and support,” said Braakman.
Building the trails has seen a lot of time and money put into it, with over $50,000 in donations from individuals, clubs, foundations and businesses helping get the phase two trails to where they are today. They have raised $90,000 in less than a year for both phases, Braakman added.
Over 1,000 volunteer hours went into building the second phase, Braakman added.
Skill development, group rides, youth rides and other events are planned for the trails, which feature curves, jumps, flatland, and different types of terrain created by the volunteers.
WEBC recognized the town and its efforts, volunteer Joe McCarthy for helping with heavy machinery during the trail building and the community as a whole for its support. WEBC has a land stewardship agreement with the Town of Amherstburg which allows them to manage the trail system. Walker Aggregates donated stone to put towards the trails.
Braakman was presented new license plates reading “WEBCRIDE” by WEBC members as his birthday is approaching and he called them his new best friends.
“I think this project shows anything is possible with the power of community,” said Braakman.
For more information, visit www.webcride.com.
WEBC officially opens second phase of mountain biking trails
By Ron Giofu
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