Plan for $3M West Bragg Creek trail centre met with mixed response | CBC News
Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A planned trail centre in West Bragg Creek is receiving mixed responses from members of the public.
The proposal, put forward by the Bragg Creek Trails Association, is still in the planning phase, with the concept design including a two-storey building with room for up to 150 people. The site is estimated to cost around $3 million, which Bragg Creek Trails says would be paid for through provincial grants, donations and events.
West Bragg Creek, located southwest of Calgary, is a popular destination year-round, with more than 160 kilometres of trails in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. According to Bragg Creek Trails, the provincial recreation area sees more than 265,000 visitors every year.
But while Bragg Creek Trails says the trail centre would provide environmental education and improve access to the area year-round with a warming centre, not everyone’s on board.
Trail users and local residents say they have a long list of questions about a visitor centre at West Bragg Creek Day Use Area being proposed by Bragg Creek Trails.
Karl Schulz, who says he goes on the trails at least four times a week, is not a fan of the proposal.
“It’s too big. It’s too fancy. It’s too costly,” he said. “It’s not what we need at our little small West Bragg Creek trails.”
Schulz acknowledged the current facility — a temporary warming centre — could be improved, but not to the extent that’s being proposed.
“Do we need flush toilets? Absolutely not,” he said.
Bragg Creek resident Peter Tucker says he sees many pros and cons in the proposal.
As an active volunteer in the community, he said “it would be helpful to have a decent place to meet, rather than in a cold compound somewhere.”
But he says increased visitation could impact the peace and quiet West Bragg Creek trail users enjoy.
“Even though the parking lot can be packed, you can be out there and not see barely anybody,” he said.
Another concern for Tucker is locals having to deal with increased traffic.
“Personally, I think the community and the educational benefits outweigh that slightly,” he said.
Renate van der Zande, who lives in the area, is also concerned about construction of the new facility leading to increased traffic.
She said the facility could come with economic benefits, “but more business means more traffic. That means more maintenance. So, who’s maintaining and who’s funding that?”
Bragg Creek Trails president Conrad Schiebel says the project will not go ahead until funding is secured.
“The big point to be made here is the funding for trail construction and maintenance would not be impacted by this project,” he said.
Schiebel said the provincial government identified the need for a trail centre at West Bragg Creek back in 2017, and that the current facility was always meant to be a temporary one.
Bragg Creek Trails is collecting public feedback on the proposed trail centre through an online survey until Feb. 28.