Race track stalled by 'red tape'
Motocross association wants to build track on site of former stock car track; GNWT says they'll have to wait until moratorium lifted on recreation leases
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Government red tape means a real motocross track on the site of a former stock car racing track is still at least about three years away.
Jeff Corradetti, president of the Yellowknife Motocross Association, kneels on what would be part of a new motocross track proposed for the site of a stock car racing track that hasn't been used in decades.
- John McFadden/NNSL photo |
That is according to Jeff Corradetti, president of the Yellowknife Motocross Association. The group, formed late last year, is interested in building a motocross track up the Ingraham Trail, on the site of a former stock car racing track and demolition derby ring.
There are about 80 people who have shown interest in turning the old track into a motocross course. The track, just past the Dettah Road, sits abandoned, overgrown and littered with old cars and tires. However, Corradetti said he was told in a meeting by Lands Minister Robert C. McLeod that due to a moratorium on recreational land leases on the Ingraham Trail, the department cannot give approval for the proposed motocross project at least until that moratorium is lifted.
"Hollywood rolls out the red carpet, the GNWT rolls out the red tape," Corradetti said. "This is not a cabin lease proposal or a fishing lease proposal, the things that they have a hold on. But because the government deems it to be for recreational use, it's lumped in with those leases. Our plan has nothing to do with that."
The motocross association not only wants to have its own track facility, but Corradetti said it will also move the riders from the sandpits where they currently ride.
"If you build something, it won't eliminate what's at the sandpits but it would take a lot of pressure off and make it safer at the sandpits for dog walkers, families and others who are not racing motorcycles," Corradetti said. "It will be better for young kids getting into motocross. It will be family-oriented. Parents can take their kids out to the track and it's a safe, controlled learning environment."
Corradetti finds it a little ironic that he has been stymied by the government in his attempt to make a motocross track happen.
Corradetti said if he is able to go ahead, then his members will not only work to built a motocross track, but they would help clean up the area, which currently looks a little like an abandoned junk yard.
"We're not looking for money from them. We're giving them money," he said. "The trouble with waiting is, they say another 18 months, that means we won't be able to apply to get this going until the end of next year. Then's there is a consultation phase which lasts another 45 days. So it's delays, delays, delays. It will then take us a near to build it."
If it was approved now, cleanup could begin now and the association could get to work on it, Corradetti said.
Frame Lake MLA Wendy Bisaro has taken up the cause of the motocross association and said that she can understand the members' frustrations.
"I think that an exception can be made but the lands minister doesn't want to make an exception because he figures if he makes an exception for one group then he's going to get other groups asking him," Bisaro said. "But I think that's a specious argument. I don't think there's much demand for the land they are talking about, away from the lakes."
Bisaro said she doesn't remember any complaints when the site was used as a stock car track and demolition derby ring back in the 1980s.
"I never did go out there but I know a lot of people who did. They used to have tailgate parties and it was really well received," Bisaro said. "They're looking at an education component, getting kids out there and teaching them safety and how to ride properly and they have fairly comprehensive plans - a safe place to ride."
"It is ultimately a decision that could be made by the minister to allow a particular lease. It wouldn't say it's bureaucracy or red tape, but more political will when you come right down to it," Bisaro said.
Bisaro said she heard there was a near accident between a rider and people walking at the sandpits some weeks back. It would be a shame if there was a serious mishap at the sandpits while the motocross association was waiting to get approval to set up its track at a safer spot, Bisaro said.
Yellowknifer asked McLeod to comment on the proposed motocross track but he did not respond by press time.
