The City of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 latest recreation jewel, dubbed the North Langford Adventure Centre is opening soon on Bear Mountain.
The centre takes over from the Mountainside Athletic Club and will serve as the centrepiece for a network of planned mountain biking trails and tennis courts.
The goal, as outlined by Mayor Stew Young in his inaugural address on Monday, is to improve recreational opportunities for Langford residents living north of the Trans Canada Highway.
B次元官网网址淭here was really no opportunity for Langford to have recreation facilities up there, based on the topography and the cost of the land,B次元官网网址� Young said later in an interview. B次元官网网址淭his opportunity came up when we heard that this came up for sale and (found out) it may not be a recreation centre (anymore).B次元官网网址�
Given the cityB次元官网网址檚 push to add recreation options for its residents, he said, B次元官网网址渢he last thing we want to do is lose a facility.B次元官网网址�
The approximately 9,600-square-foot building, which has been managed by the Westin Bear Mountain, was purchased by the city for $2.4-million out of bankruptcy proceedings undertaken against the owner in Calgary. Among the plans is to create new water features for the outdoor pool to make it more family friendly. Planning is already underway to build eight clay tennis courts on site and mountain biking trails, with a goal of completing them by summer 2015.
B次元官网网址�(Among other things) the goal is to have a functioning bike shop up there with access to world-class bikes and the amenities,B次元官网网址� said Bear Mountain cycling consultant Rob Fawcett. B次元官网网址淲e are in the process of building back trails, reconnecting trails on our property so people can come out there and try them out.B次元官网网址�
He said old trails on the property are currently being mapped out. The plan is to connect the five kilometres already there to an additional five km of single-track trails to create a 10 km cycling loop for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers. Additional areas for advanced cyclists are in the planning stages.
B次元官网网址淔or your average person, riding the trails is a spectacular experience B次元官网网址� I am very excited,B次元官网网址� Fawcett said. B次元官网网址淢ountain biking trails are an amazing public amenity.B次元官网网址�
While it is still early in the process, he said the hope is to attract high-level mountain biking events and athletes to the area, much like Rugby Canada has done with basing the national programs in Langford and the potential relationship with Tennis Canada and the new tennis facilities.
Young said itB次元官网网址檚 another step in the direction Langford voters asked for when they re-elected the entire slate.
B次元官网网址淭he timing was right and the price was right,B次元官网网址� he said, calling it a good fit for Langford. B次元官网网址淭o build that today itB次元官网网址檚 $6 million to $7 million. Langford got lucky on the deal, right place at the right time. Council needed to jump on it before someone else bought it.B次元官网网址�
The management of the facility will be put out to tender, Young added. Services include a gym, retail shop, a bike store, tanning beds, fitness studios, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, juice bar, a pub and an outdoor deck B次元官网网址� with more to come, he said.
B次元官网网址淓veryone is moving as fast they can, there is no transition, no wasted year, I have told council very clearly we are moving to get things done. You will see the new cultural centre, you will see another arena built, some new ball fields, we are focused on doing that.B次元官网网址�
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
