Dunmore Pump Track Project 2025-2027
The DCA is working to create a new recreational space for our community to enjoy:
Purpose:
To create a new recreational space for the Dunmore community to enjoy that caters to a variety of sports-minded individuals. This attraction will be suitable for use by bikes, in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, and even appropriate for remote controlled vehicle racing.
To develop a new recreational attraction that will increase exposure for our community
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To create a long-lasting, low maintenance attraction
Photo by Bike Track Ltd.
Steps:
1. Establish a DCA sub-committee with a project manager
2. Hire a 3rd party company to work with the sub-committee to design, plan, and execute the project
3. Fundraising - grants, corporate sponsors, community fundraising events
4. Development permit from Cypress County
5. Power and lighting
6. Landscaping
7. Fencing
8. Shaded area with benches
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What is a pump track?
A pump track is a looped track featuring berms (banked turns), rollers (uneven surfaces), and jumps, designed for riders to use their body's pumping action to generate speed and flow, minimizing the need for pedaling.
It's a fun and accessible way for riders of all ages and skill levels to practice balance, improve bike handling, and build confidence.
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Features:
Typical pump tracks include:
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Berms: Banked curves that allow riders to maintain speed through turns without relying on pedaling.
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Rollers: Uneven surfaces that require riders to pump their bodies to gain momentum and flow.
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Jumps: Shallow jumps that allow riders to practice aerial skills and build confidence.
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Benefits:
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Skill Development: Pump tracks are excellent for practicing bike handling skills, improving balance, and learning how to pump for speed.
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Fun and Fitness: They provide a fun and engaging way to exercise and improve fitness, with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.
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Accessibility: Pump tracks are designed to be accessible to a wide range of riders, regardless of age, skill level, or type of bike.
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Materials:
Pump tracks can be built from various materials, including dirt, gravel, and asphalt, and can be adapted to different terrains and spaces.
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Purpose:
Pump tracks are designed to be ridden using a pumping motion, where riders move their body weight up and down to compress and extend the bike's suspension, effectively "pumping" the bike forward.
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In essence, a pump track is a playground for riders to learn and practice skills, have fun, and experience the thrill of riding without pedaling.
Examples of Pump Tracks designed and created by Bike Track Ltd.:
Montgomery, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Fairview, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Why Choose Bike Track Ltd.?
Bike Track Ltd. has a proven track record of expertise and professionalism. They work with communities within their budgets to get the project done. They will reduce their own fees if communities contribute to the project cost by getting donations of materials, equipment, and volunteer labour. This accommodation is exactly in line with how the Dunmore Community Association has successfully kept costs down and completed past projects. They have completed pump track and bike track projects all over Alberta and BC, and their recent Medicine Hat project has received excellent feedback.
*Bike Track Ltd. gave written permission on April 16/25 to use all photos of their projects on our website
Location
The DCA has limited land in our lease available for development. Community members expressed the desire to have an attraction built on the East side of Dunmore, but we do not have land available on that side.
The pump track proposed location is on the West side of Dunmore, adjacent to the Sunrise Baseball Diamond:
Pump track design for example purposes only
This location is adjacent to existing parking so additional parking would not be required. This is a huge cost savings.
Timeline / Project Updates:
September 9, 2020 A proposal for a community pump track was introduced at the DCA Board of Directors meeting as a viable recreational attraction by Western Trail Fabricators LTD . The board heard about other Cypress County communities putting them in (Elkwater, Hilda), and were advised that Cypress County Council supported their development.
October 7, 2020 Steve Toews who was involved in the Medicine Hat BMX track offered a review of the Western Trail Fabricators LTD. proposal and advised that a pump track could be completed much cheaper, with less safety concerns, a more exciting design, and would require a larger footprint. He explained that a dirt track is maintained with rakes, with portions paved (hills and turns), and there needs to be a water source nearby to keep dust down. Recommends a soil tack (like Elmer’s glue) that keeps the dirt waterproof for a year or 2 and saves on maintenance. Group discussed that track should be designed in a progression for all ages/capabilities, with a focus on the 7-12 yr demographic.
November 7, 2020 Jenna Reiss presented the results of a poll put out to the community by the DCA to gauge interest in a pump track. The poll reported that over 100 kids were interested and would use the track if it was put in (reported by their parents).
March 16, 2021 The DCA Board of Directors held a special meeting to discuss the list of projects and prioritize them. Click here for meeting minutes
February 16, 2022 At the AGM, the DCA Board of Directors presented its intention to proceed with a dirt pump track. Construction on the EDF Outdoor Recreation Centre was in full swing, and the board felt that by end of year, plans could proceed.
April 20, 2022 The DCA ran a Survivor Raffle Fundraiser for the pump track project
June 23, 2022 The DCA raised $6,561.67 from the Survivor Raffle fundraiser
June 28, 2022 Kerry Wilde of EagleRidge donated $1500.00 to the pump track project!
September 10, 2024 Progress on the pump track has stalled. New sub-committee to move it forward was created. Decision was made to get a quote from a pump track builder to proceed. For a detailed history of actions over this 2-year period, view the BOD Meeting Minutes here.
March 19, 2025 A track design was presented by a Director, quotes were received from LMT for cost of dirt needed. Development permit application was submitted to Cypress County to get approval for land use. The DCA was advised that should the track become an eyesore, it would be removed. Maintenance issues were discussed regarding the dirt track, as well as the labour required to keep it in good shape for patrons.
March 20, 2025 The following appeal was emailed to all DCA members for feedback, and posted on the DCA Facebook page to start discussion within the community about the project going ahead or not. Click here for copy of the correspondence.
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April 14, 2025 The community was invited to attend the DCA 2025 AGM where the decision to proceed with a pump track or not was to be made. The following is an excerpt from the meeting minutes:
Three options were discussed by the Board of Directors regarding the pump track; proceed with plans for a dirt track, upgrade the project to an asphalt track, or cancel the project. Considerations were recreation grant matching funds, track maintenance and safety, cost, permanent vs. temporary structure and subsequent permitting, soil/wind erosion, landscaping, location, and community support.
Summary of discussion points:
Dirt track: high maintenance, low community commitment to maintain, low cost, higher safety issues, loss of matching funds, cannot pave over existing track (can use materials but have to build base from scratch), requires dirt every year, lip maintenance we do not have experience to maintain, can be put in relatively quickly
Asphalt Track: Bike Track Ltd is reputable and experienced, zero surface maintenance, 15-20yr lifespan, inclusive of all wheels (bikes, skateboards, scooters, inline skates), intermediate/advanced tracks can be added in future to beginner track, will work with DCA to reduce costs through materials, equipment, and volunteer labour, tracks built to highway specifications using road base and meet or exceed typical specifications for compaction, cost for beginner track $45-65K (not including landscaping, covered shelter, benches, tables, etc…), Nick Wilke has inroads with Cyclepath and Norco who may assist in funding the build, suggested bike community may be interested in using the site, potential rent for special events, may take 1-2 years
Cancel Project: high cost, requires dedicated team to see it through
Nicole suggested a sub-committee be formed to focus on this project. Nick Wilkie, who has been involved in similar projects and is highly active in the bike community, and Josh Sehn volunteered to join the sub-committee.
Motion: Amy made motion to proceed with an asphalt track – carried
Motion: Nicole made motion to form a pump track sub-committee - carried
April 16, 2025 The pump track subcommittee is formed and includes 2 DCA Board members and 2 community members. The group will meet to establish the new scope of the project which has changed completely from a small-scale dirt track to an asphalt track with developed surrounding area. The new timeframe will be 1-2 years.
Check back for continuing updates on this project. If you have any questions, please email dcadirectors@gmail.com