COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Snowmobile Club has approached City of Cold Lake administration seeking a change to the designated snowmobile trail travelling across the northern area of the city.
This request deals with recent changes to the landscape and infrastructure in the vicinity, prompting the club to propose a realignment of the trail to optimize the route through the city.
The Cold Lake Snowmobile Club currently operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City, allowing the club to establish and maintain a designated snowmobile route that connects the Iron Horse Trail to the snowmobile trail across Cold Lake.
This agreement, in effect until December 2026, grants the club authority to sign and change the specified trail within city limits, according to the City of Cold Lake.
However, recent developments have made the trail somewhat unusable.
“With the recent completion of landscaping in the Lakewood Estates area, as well as the installation of a sidewalk on the north side of First Avenue, the existing trail route is less than optimal,” said Andrew Jabs, the manager of land use planning, development, and regulatory services for the City of Cold Lake,
The club is aware of the ditches along the proposed new trail and has expressed no concern for them. “That is what they had proposed as their preferred route,” added Jabbs.
Proposed Changes and Considerations
The proposed relocation of the trail to the south side of the street would bring it closer to multiple residential properties. In response to potential concerns, the club has assured the City that specific regulations will be implemented.
“This shift would put the trail adjacent to several different residences for approximately two blocks; however, this section will be designated a ‘quiet zone’ where operators are expected to slow and avoid creating excessive noise,” Jabs explained.
As per the City of Cold Lake's evaluation, administration has determined that the proposed realignment of the snowmobile route raises no substantial concerns.
“We recommend council pass the motion to approve the realignment of the snowmobile terrain trail to the south side of First Avenue,” said Jabbs.
Council approved the motion as per administration’s recommendation for the new snowmobile route. Following council's approval of the motion on the new snowmobile route, City administration will commence the necessary steps for implementation.
