Recreation enthusiasts will soon be able to reach new heights.
Kinosoo Ridge is one step closer to becoming a year-round destination, after the MD of Bonnyville included $1.9-million in their 2019 interim budget for the construction of an adventure park.
“It’s going to be a completely new venture for Kinosoo Ridge, with the hopes that it’s just the start of really making use of that location as a four-season location and a focal point for tourists,” expressed MD Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
The large climbing structure will be located on the ski hill, giving users a view they won’t soon forget.
The concept was brought up by a staff member at Kinosoo Ridge.
“When they first brought it forward, it was just one of many (ideas) that were thrown out there when we were doing our strategic planning. It got a lot of traction,” Sawchuk detailed.
An adventure park is made up mostly of poles and cables, with platforms and obstacles that families can climb across. Users are strapped in using a harness and carabiners.
The structure has multiple levels of difficulty, from beginner to experienced.
According to general manager for Kinosoo Ridge, Jurgen Grau, there’s a similar park built at Snow Valley near Edmonton.
“We’ve gone to the same company, and we’re doing our version of that adventure park,” he detailed.
This is the first step in turning the ski hill into an all-seasons location.
For Grau, witnessing the municipality, community, and Kinosoo Ridge come together for the prospect is a dream come true.
“It’s a direction I’ve been pushing for for years,” he expressed. “There’s this aspect of Kinosoo Ridge… there’s all this potential that the community could see that has never been realized... I’m very excited, and I think once the community sees where we’re heading (they will be too).”
Sawchuk added, “It’s the first thing to happen as far as making it a four-season place. There’s other things planned, but those are a little bit further down the road.”
The structure is designed and built by a company in Germany who specializes in adventure parks.
Sawchuk said the municipality is currently working with Kinosoo Ridge and the company to design some of the aspects that will make their park unique.
“There’s going to be climbing adventures that we will be able to develop,” Grau detailed. “We’re trying to represent different areas of the community.”
For example, the MD is looking at including aspects of oil and gas, indigenous, Cold Lake, and other highlights that represent the area.
“It’s going to be something completely new that’s going to draw (people) out to the hill,” Sawchuk noted. “What we’ve heard time and time again from people coming to the area, and the tourist information centres have spoken to us about this, people are always wondering what’s different and what they can do in the area when they’re staying here for a week or two.”
Although the poles will be permanently placed, the park would be closed with certain elements packed up for the winter.
“The goal with this park is to take care of the landscaping and get the structure up this year, and have it to the point where when we get into the spring of 2020, we would have everything complete for the May long weekend,” Grau explained. “The build is scheduled for this summer. We would like to start April 1, but we’re not there yet. We still have Alberta Parks to work with and there are some areas that aren’t 100 per cent there yet. At the very latest, I’m hoping we can get going by July 15.”
He continued, “It’s a long-time coming. It’s going to be a highlight for the community… We always try to make the community proud and head in directions where we have something to market and reasons for people to come to this area. I really believe what we’re going to come up with will exceed people’s expectations.”
