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Toboggan run proposed for Athabasca

Rotary approaches council to use old landfill property

ATHABASCA - A fun and inexpensive activity to help get through the winters ahead came to town council last week and the town is now exploring to see if the recommended location is viable for such a project.

Maurice Gushta, the secretary for the Rotary Club of Athabasca, approached town council Oct. 20, to discuss the possibility of creating a toboggan run on land that otherwise has to sit vacant. 

The old landfill location north of the town cannot be used for construction because of rules regarding the reclamation of dump sites, but it has plenty of hills and enough land for Rotary to propose using it as toboggan run. It is located on Survey Road, an unmarked road on Hwy 813, before crossing the bridge, just before the compost location. 

“Last winter we had my grandkids out on the weekend; it was a gorgeous winter day and … the kids want to go sliding,” Gushta said. "Do you know 49th Avenue between 44th Street and 43rd Street? It is a great toboggan run, but it hurts me that with all the hills around here, we should have a real toboggan run; our grandkids shouldn't have to use the streets to toboggan on.” 

Gushta along with two other Rotarians started exploring the idea and reaching out to other municipalities to gather information. 

"We arrived at some criteria for developing a toboggan run — accessible and varied slopes suitable for younger and older kids; reasonable walk-up distances; safe run-off areas; an area to provide parking and expandable,” he said. “And what we came up with was the old town landfill site opposite the lagoons.” 

Gushta explained the plan is to use the area long-term and slowly add amenities as required. 

"I believe that (area) more than meets all of our selection criteria,” Gushta said. "In the long-term, it could really develop into some sort of excellent winter resort. The Riverfront Park is just always buzzing with kids and we don't have anything for the kids in the wintertime and it'd be nice if we could do that.” 

Coun. John Traynor asked about the vision for the location. 

“I'm wondering, are you guys thinking about putting like a tow rope or something on there to get the kids up and down the hill?” he asked. 

“That's when you start talking money,” Gushta said. "Hey, I went tobogganing lots when I was a kid and I didn't have the advantage of a magic carpet or tow rope, and I think the kids can survive and then when times allow, maybe we could provide for that.” 

Once the toboggan run is created the maintenance would be turned back to the town, said Coun. Rob Balay. 

"A good example would be the spray park," Balay said. "Rotary built it; town now maintains it". 

The other issue of concern though is if there needs to be any dirt moved around as disturbance of reclaimed landfills is regulated in Alberta under the Code of Practice for Landfills which defines how much topsoil must remain in place and other considerations. 

“We'll have to check in to see how much disturbance we can do because it is a reclaimed landfill so, that might be an issue,” Balay said. “The cutting the trees, we're not supposed to allow trees to grow … so we should be removing those trees anyway.” 

Council instructed administration to arrange for the public works department to work with the Rotary representatives to see if the toboggan run is a viable option with the intent of getting it operational for this winter if it possible. 

Heather Stocking, TownandCountryToday.com  

Follow me on Twitter @HLSox 

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