Lazzarotto says that they hope to have the master plan for the trails, which is proposed to feature up to ten looped mountain bike trails centred on the skills park, by mid- to late-July. In the meantime, they will focus on training workers for the project and performing mapping, among other goals.
Once the planning is in place, she says, they hope to start the groundwork later in the summer and possibly have the skills park complete by the time summer ends. Two summer students will be helping on the project, along with volunteers from Katimavik and the United Riders of Crowsnest group.
"We're very, very fortunate to have the IMBA involved right off the bat," says Lazzarotto. "I think this will be really good for the Crowsnest Pass. I'm hoping we'll see a lot of economic spin off it. It's pretty exciting."
For people who want to be involved in the project, a free trail building workshop will be held June 26 and 27. The workshop will teach the basics of sustainable trail construction, through both classroom learning and a field component. The workshop will cover all types of trails, with a focus on mountain bike trails.
Scott, who is being housed at no cost by the Best Canadian Motor Inn, says that any bicycler who wants to be involved should consider signing up for the workshop. People can sign up at the Stone's Throw Cafe. All costs related to the workshop are being covered by the project, which has received funding from the Rural Development Initiative and numerous community partners.