The city of Revelstoke plans to find $10,000 in the 2018 parks and recreation budget to help the Revelstoke Cycling Association pay for trail maintenance.
The RCA made a request for $25,000 in funding from the city at the Jan 23. regular council meeting. City councillor’s decided to refer the request to the Jan. 25 committee of the whole budget meeting for further discussion.
The topic of a trail maintenance fee was brought up at the Jan. 23 council meeting and again at the Jan. 25 budget meeting. Robyn Goldsmith, RCA membership director said at the Jan. 23 meeting the idea of the trail pass had been explored, but she felt it was not likely to work since it is not part of the cycling culture.
Councillor’s Connie Brothers, Scott Duke, and mayor Mark McKee all said they felt the trail pass fee should be explored as a long term strategy.
“I hear there’s resistance, but when you’re spending $5,000 for a bike … I don’t understand why people can’t pay $30 for a trail pass,” said Brothers.
McKee said there was similar resistance when the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club introduced trail fees.
“The snowmobile club went through this years ago and it was a big deal. It’s a big deal and not something I want to get involved with solving around the table. Recreational mountain biking is having a huge impact on our community,” he said.
City budget discussions are ongoing. No decisions will be finalized until the budget is adopted. Final adoption will likely take another couple of months.