Project/Program Title: Pemberton BMX/Snow Skills

Project/Program Title: Pemberton BMX/Snow Skills

2013 COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Category Worksheet
PARTNERSHIPS
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Name of Local Government: Village of Pemberton (VOP)
Project/Program Title: Pemberton BMX/Snow Skills Park
Project Summary Paragraph
Please provide a summary of your project/program in 150 words or less.
In 2009 a group of visionary residents proposed a BMX facility on VOP-owned lands. A site
design was submitted and approved by Council and a track was built as a result of volunteer
efforts, donated materials and equipment. The track was located within a hydro right-of-way,
and upon completion BC Hydro raised concerns regarding horizontal proximity to the
transmission lines. In 2010, VOP Public Works and Engineering made changes including
reducing the height a banked turn, and received BC Hydro approval. In 2012 a group of
volunteers stepped in to further upgrade the track. They applied for and received Society status,
held training camps and started a Facebook account. From 2012 to 2013 the VOP earmarked
funding to restore the track while Pemberton BMX Society (PBMX) acquired a donated start
gate, re-designed the track layout, and with the VOP, applied for a $50,000 grant.
Project Analysis
Please answer the question in 300 words or less in 11 pt Arial font (our judges value directness
and brevity). If you experience difficulty answering a particular question, consider the aspects of
your program that may relate to the question and show us how they are linked.
Remember to include measurable results whenever possible.
1. OBJECTIVE
Please explain the decision-making and thought process behind your decision to
take on this initiative.
Pemberton Development Services produced a phased development plan for the Pemberton
BMX Park in 2009, which has been fulfilled and enhanced by our current Council, based on the
growing recreation needs of our community, and the specific needs of the Pemberton BMX
Society members.
The Pemberton BMX Park fulfills the VOP’s strategic commitment to Social Responsibility;
specifically that “the Village strives to create a strong and vibrant community, recognizing the
importance and benefits of both healthy, engaged citizens as well as an accessible and wellmanaged natural environment.”
2013 Community Excellence Awards
Pemberton BMX Society provides a valuable, family-friendly, outdoor recreational service. The
enhancement of this facility addresses the greater community’s future needs as we anticipate
continuing to be one of the fastest-growing communities in BC.
2. CHALLENGES
Please provide examples of challenges you faced in taking on this program/project
and how you overcame them.
BC Hydro
• staff met BC Hydro terms and conditions
Location – dust, hydro lines, noise (neighbour concerns), visual impacts
• expanded track from under transmission lines to build a taller start hill
• engaged and informed neighbours
• received a grant from Tree Canada/BC Hydro to plant trees in the park
• received a significant grant from Whistler Blackcomb Foundation
• installed an irrigation system
How to merge the existing track with the proposed track area
• PBMX arranged for an expert track builder to review and prepare a new site plan
No start gate
• acquired a donated start gate from North Shore BMX
Capital investment including 100-160 truckloads of dirt, equipment rental/fuel, installation of the
start gate and storage container
• applied for grants
• included project in the VOP budget and work plan
• earmarked funds
• many generous and skilled volunteers donating a multitude of hours
3. BENEFITS
Please provide examples of how this program/project benefited the community.
The BMX sport is family-friendly and inclusive of age two and up. It’s not uncommon for parents
to cheer on their kids in the spectator area, followed by the kids cheering for their parents as
they race the next heat.
In 2012, Pemberton BMX Park hosted three races and a sold-out kids camp. Participation has
been incrementally increasing. The first race saw 33 child and youth participants; the second
race had 43 participants, nine of whom were adults; and the third race had 63 participants
including18 adults.
So far in 2013, Pemberton BMX Society has held five BMX Canada sanctioned races, and
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2013 Community Excellence Awards
facilitates training opportunities every second Wednesday through the summer. Two camps are
being offered. The last race held saw 88 participants and the Society has 100 member riders.
4. INNOVATION
Tell us why you consider this project/program to be an innovative and/or creative
initiative.
Prior to the Pemberton BMX Park, the Village of Pemberton had applied to the Whistler
Blackcomb Foundation for funding to install a Snow Skills Park in the same area. The funding
was not granted. When the BMX Park needs became apparent, the VOP realized the synergy
between the two facilities, and PBMX produced a track design with features that could be
utilized in the winter in the Snow Skills Park. A new application for funding of the combined park
was successful.
5. GOALS
What did you set out to accomplish with the program/project? How effectively did
you meet your goals?
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Meeting our Strategic Priorities – this project is helping the Village to further develop a
strong and vibrant community, recognizing the importance and benefits of both healthy,
engaged citizens as well as an accessible and well-managed natural environment.
•
BMX Destination - Cycling tourism is increasing in BC on the whole. PBMX is now
offering double points races. The chance to win more tour points attracts provincial and
US riders.
With Squamish`s established BMX track, and Whistler`s planned track, the Sea to Sky
Corridor will be a destination for BMX riding of all ages and levels. Plans include a total
of three sanctioned tracks for hosting regional tours.
The Pemberton BMX track is now sanctioned by BMX Canada, offering best practices,
national recognition and promotion. We have met and continue to exceed our goals, and
the timing of this project is well-aligned with the increasing trend of cycling in general.
6. SUSTAINABILITY
What measures have you put in place to ensure the continued operation of this
initiative? (e.g. staff time, resources, financial)
The VOP has entered into a three-year agreement with the Society whereby they are
responsible for all upgrades, maintenance and site preparation during the summer months.
The VOP takes over responsibility in the winter and will undertake the facilitation of the
Snow Skills Park. The VOP Public Works department provides weekly maintenance for the
surrounding landscaping. Recreation services helps to promote and support as needed.
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2013 Community Excellence Awards
PBMX has a dedicated group of volunteers who continue to apply for grant opportunities
and improve the facility.
7. TRANSFERABILITY
How is this program/project transferable to other local governments?
Village of Pemberton staff have worked on a mentorship basis to help Pemberton BMX Society
(PBMXS) become an established legal entity. Now PBMXS is in the position to transfer their
plan to Whistler, to assist their volunteers in setting up a similar facility. VOP Development
Services is able to share plans and advice with the Resort Municipality of Whistler as needed,
and our Community Partnership Policy (see below) can also be shared.
8. KNOWLEDGE SHARING
What helpful advice would you share with other communities looking to embark on a
similar project?
Establish a Community Partnership Policy to assist community groups with undertaking special
projects. With the objective of streamlining community partnership projects between community
interest groups, volunteers and the VOP, our policy provides a framework for effective and
efficient coordination of both community interest/volunteer groups and municipal resources.
This policy is geared towards community interest groups and volunteers that are wishing to
improve or develop new community facilities and/or amenities within the Village. Such groups
are encouraged to engage the VOP early in their process. The VOP assists by reviewing,
providing comment and, where possible, direction for how to best navigate procedural elements
that may exist.
Additionally, this policy allows VOP Council and staff the opportunity to comprehensively review
projects for consideration in order to:
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Better identify how the Village can partner or support community projects
Identify probable timelines based on the resources available as well as procedural
requirements
9. TELL US MORE
Please share any other information you think may help us better understand your
submission.
10. PARTNERS
a.) Please list all the partners involved in this initiative. (no word limit)
Village of Pemberton (main partner and sponsor $5,000 - $10,000)
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation (sponsor over $10,000)
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2013 Community Excellence Awards
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (sponsor $5,000 - $10,000)
Rona Building (sponsor $5,000 - $10,000)
Pemberton Valley Supermarket (sponsor $5,000 - $10,000)
In-kind donors up to $5,000:
Pemberton BMX Society
Coastal Mountain Excavations
Sabre Rentals
Coast Range Concrete
Doug Leblanc Contracting
Lil’wat Nation
Murphy Construction
IRONMAN Foundation
Ziggy Trucking
North Shore BMX
Squamish BMX
GT3.0 Consulting
b.) Why did you choose to work with this/these particular partner(s)?
These partners are keen, reliant, committed and supportive of Village of Pemberton
initiatives. They have shown that they have longevity and plan to ensure the success of this
project and program.
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