The Village of Burns Lake has backed a bid to resurface the track of Lakes District Secondary School.
In a meeting on Nov. 20, the council supported a motion to write a letter of support for the LDSS Track Resurfacing project.
Burns Lake residents Sandra Barth, Bernice Magee and Kay Saul noted in their letter to the village that the track is used by many members of the Burns Lake community for fitness and recreation, including by LDSS students for physical education classes.
It is also one of the few flat areas in the village.
However, the track’s granular material poses problems for users such as impeding smooth movement for those pushing buggies, using canes or riding bicycles.
The drainage structure of the track forms water collection spots, resulting in icy patches in the fall and spring.
After some research, it was decided that asphalt would be the best resurfacing option.
The three residents also took their proposal to School District 91, which owns the track.
“The community members approached us about improving it,” said Mike Skinner, Assistant Superintendent for the District. “We’re supportive in principle of it.”
Skinner gave a ballpark figure of $100,000 for the project, though he said it’s too early in the process to give a precise number.
There have been several partnerships between the school district and residents in the past, including the lighting around the track, the bathroom and the covered hut.
As part of the village council’s decision, Valerie Anderson, Economic Development Officer will help search for grant funding for the project, and the village commits to removing sand from the track in the spring.