Editor:
I read with alarm in the May 18 edition of the Outlook the Bow River West pathway project budget will more than double after an internal transfer was approved by the CAO and council approved additional funds.
Phase one started out with a budget of $1.5 million, but has quickly bloated to $3.6 million. Exactly how many phases are there and what might these phases ultimately cost struggling taxpayers?
The Town says the project is necessary to increase connectivity and allow for maintenance.
Yet, no new trails are being built so no new connectivity. And, maintenance wise, the Town hasn't properly maintained the paved trails they already have.
In a Jan. 12, 2021 finance committee meeting agenda, there is a note stating out of 80 kilometres of Canmore trails, 22 km are paved, and some are 15-25 years old already.
Even though best practices recommend the Town replace them every 15-20 years, there is no budget to do so. Yet, somehow there is plenty of budget to pave over the gravel parts of the Bow River pathway.
Sure looks to me that our tax dollars are being spent on an expensive boondoggle. Thankfully, there hasn’t been and won’t be any public engagement for the Town to answer any questions about this contentious project.
Nancy Pon,
Canmore
