Edmonton Bike Park pushing through construction after record June rain

It’s back to work for mountain bike riders in Edmonton’s river valley for their new bike park. As James Dunn reports, the opening was pushed back due to a foul mood from Mother Nature.

Nestled through the trees and down Queen Elizabeth Park in Edmonton’s river valley should be a park built for mountain bike enthusiasts.

But it’s nowhere near completion.

Work started last summer and it was supposed to be open July 25. But Mother Nature decided to throw a curveball last month with June’s record rainfall.

“June 2nd to July 2nd we were out. We only had two days where we were able to do anything in here… and a lot of it was pumping out water,” said project lead Josh Nowochin.

A sign indicating the bike park is “coming soon.” (James Dunn, CityNews)

The consistent rain meant no one could work on the bike park’s hills and tracks because the dirt was too wet to build on.

At one point, a large hole meant for an asphalt track was filled with water after the rain came through.

“We had a good-sized swimming pool over here for a little bit in the pump track area,” Nowochin said.

It’s taking multiple volunteers meeting regularly to kickstart building again and now the clock is on so bike riders can enjoy the river valley a little bit more.

The bike park is about 40 per cent complete with now about two months until opening day, scheduled for Sept. 5. The builders remain confident it will be done by then – with some cooperation from Mother Nature.

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