Community Feedback Underway for Proposed West Bragg Creek Trail Centre
BCT would like to thank everyone who completed the recent public engagement survey regarding the proposed permanent Trail Centre at the WBC Day Use Area trailhead in Kananaskis Country. We appreciate the time and care people have taken to share feedback and will provide a public summary once responses have been reviewed and key themes compiled. If this has reached you before the February 28 deadline and you wish to contribute your comments to the survey, please go to braggcreektrails.org.
The proposed Trail Centre is envisioned as a year-round, fully accessible public facility focused on trail access, environmental education, training, and volunteer support. Potential uses include a public warming space, trail information hub, meeting space for WBC-related educational and non-profit activities, workspace for trail hosts and staff, and storage for equipment and merchandise.
The permanent Trail Centre is intended to support trail users at the WBC trailhead and is not designed to replace or compete with existing businesses or services in the Hamlet of Bragg Creek.
A permanent Trail Centre was first identified in the Alberta Parks approved 2016 Final Concept Plan for the expansion and redevelopment of the WBC trailhead parking area, completed in 2017. The current on-site BCT trailer, installed in 2016, was always intended to serve as a temporary warming hut.
BCT also conducted a benchmarking review of 12 comparable trail networks across Western Canada. Results confirmed that WBC is among the highest in annual trail use, has one of the longest trail networks, significant parking capacity, and a diverse user base, and yet remains the only comparable network without a permanent Trail Centre.
The permanent Trail Centre is considered a legacy capital project and would be funded through major grants and direct donations designated specifically for this purpose. Operating and maintenance costs would be supported by a dedicated endowment fund. The building would be owned and operated by BCT under a land lease agreement with the Government of Alberta.
BCT aims to serve a wide range of trail users, partners, and volunteers while thoughtfully considering the needs
of local residents and businesses. The proposed permanent Trail Centre is being explored as one way to better support this community and the trails we share.
Thank you again for your continued care for the trails and for being a part of this community.
Con Schiebel
BCT President
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