Riverbank winter trail system to be expanded

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This article was published 05/12/2023 (707 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When snow covers the trails in and around the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre this winter, not only will there be a new and expanded trail system to explore, but there will be new equipment to clear the snow and groom the trails.

The new winter trail network will be more than 20 kilometres long with pathways for those who like to walk, snowshoe, cross-country ski, and ride fat bikes.

It’s hoped that by expanding the trail system around the Discovery Centre, there will be an increase in the number of people coming to the Wheat City to check it out, said Dean Hammond, executive director of Brandon Riverbank Inc.

“Part of my mandate for Brandon Tourism is looking to create tourism opportunities for the city,” said Hammond. “So, as a winter recreation enthusiast, it’s great that we have people from Brandon going to neighbouring communities like Dauphin or Minnedosa, who have built extensive trail networks.

“But the reality is, I’d rather have people from those communities come from where they live to Brandon, to use our trails.”

The new winter trail network at the Riverbank, Hammond added, is not in competition with the Brandon Hills or the Wheat City golf course trails but will be built in conjunction with, and as a complement to, those areas.

The new network will be a combination of existing pathways and new ones that will go east and west from the Riverbank grounds, Hammond told the Sun.

“Once the river is frozen solid, we’re going to go east from the Riverbank onto the field north of Co-Op Feeds and eventually over to Dinsdale Park. And then, we’re going to cross the river and over to the skating oval. We’ll also go west from the Discovery Centre onto Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station lands.”

Hammond said his team was looking for $100,000 to make the project a reality, and added, “We’re not quite there yet,” and welcomes sponsors for signage and trails.

Travel Manitoba made a financial contribution, and after a successful grant application, the Riverbank received $25,000 from the Brandon and Area Community Foundation (BACF).

“They had all the right components that met all our criteria,” Laura Kempthorne, BACF executive director, told the Sun. “So, we were able to grant them the money that’s going to toward the purchase of the grooming apparatus, the support equipment, and all the trail signage that goes along with it.”

The equipment that the Riverbank purchased is a side-by-side utility vehicle that runs on tracks and pulls the groomer, which is the machinery that packs the snow and leaves ridges that look like corduroy, said Hammond.

“On the back of the groomer, there are two track setters that can be dropped down independently. So, the intent for our multipurpose trails is to have them 12 to 14 feet wide. There’ll be a ski track on one side of the trail and the remainder of the trail will be packed for walking, fat biking or snowshoeing,” Hammond said.

The goal is to groom the trails twice a week, and no matter how much – or little — snow has fallen, Hammond said there will always be access for those who want to walk the trails.

This winter, snowshoes will be available to rent once again, and Hammond said they’re looking at options to rent skis and fat bikes as well.

The president of Brandon Riverbank Inc., Terry Jaenen, said this is just the beginning of big plans for the trails to go even further.

“It’s our own little golden gem and we’re excited that we have this to offer people, to make the Riverbank Discovery Centre even busier than it’s ever been. Our goal is to make it a huge destination,” Jaenen said.

For those who like the option of either taking the 20-kilometre winter trail network or something a little shorter, another trail is about to be added to the Riverbank grounds, that will be dedicated for cross-country skiers, Hammond said.

“This trail will wind its way through the grounds. So, it’ll be about 2.2 kilometers long, just for skiers, but it will have a double track. So, if you want to ski-hand in-hand with your partner, you can do that.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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