LAC LA BICHE - To Lac La Biche County officials, the reaction to the new skate park and pump track in the still-under-construction McArthur Park modernization is concrete proof that the project is a winner.
According to officials with Lac La Biche County, since opening to the public on Saturday, Sept. 14, the new wheeled park in McArthur Park-featuring a skatepark and BMX pump track-has been a big hit with local youngsters.
“Although it’s been less than a week, the good weather and excitement surrounding this unique feature means that we’ve certainly seen a lot of local families and kids making use of the wheeled park,” Jihad Moghrabi, a spokesperson for Lac La Biche County, told the Lac La Biche Post newsroom on Sept. 19.
The wheeled park covers a total area of 1,375 metres and is part of the $7.3 million McArthur Park Revitalization project.
The past few months have been a busy time for construction around Lac La Biche as the second phase of the McArthur Park project rolls along. The work has involved not only a skatepark and pump track, but also the building of a new pier jutting out into Lac La Biche Lake, as well as walking trails, new grass, land a boat dock.
From the beach and pier to the spray park and now the wheeled park features, Moghrabi said, McArthur Park is shaping up to become a hub for community outdoor recreational and social activity.
“We can’t wait to see the overall vision of the park become even clearer as we wrap up phase two construction this year and complete the final phase next year,” he stated.
Still more to come
Work that remains to be done for 2024, Moghrabi explained, includes sodding the remaining Phase Two area, the installation of benches, picnic tables, and waste receptacles, along with more site lighting along the recently-built trails in the park.
Regarding plans to expand on the wheeled park in the future, Moghrabi continued by saying that as part of the third and final phase of construction in 2025, County officials intend on adding seating around this area while possibly making other changes as well.
“We may also renovate the washroom facility beside the wheeled park,” he said, adding that all work to be done next year is pending Council’s budget approval.
Seasonal showcase
While local government officials are hoping to see many first-time and repeat users patronizing the new wheeled park as long as the weather holds, they don’t recommend that people practice their wheelies and ollies at the recreational facility after the snow has flown.
Snow and ice, Moghrabi explained, will drastically reduce traction and make the feature unsafe and unsuitable for winter use.
Marlee Hildebrandt was one of the parents who says the new play features have already cemented family memories.
She and her son Axton were enjoying the skate park last week. She and Axton will be returning as often as they can while the weather permits.
