A temporary pump track opens at Parc des Cèdres

Drazen Seslija and Jude Osmond

Fans of biking, scootering, skateboarding, and inline skating can now enjoy a new pump track installed at Parc des Cèdres in the Aylmer area. The City of Gatineau has set up this temporary facility on the site of the refrigerated ice rink, allowing the space to be used during the summer season.

Accessible free of charge during the park’s opening hours, the modular track is designed to accommodate a variety of users, including people in wheelchairs. Certified by the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes, it is a “quadragon with a beginner’s lane” track, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders. The project’s cost is estimated at approximately $98,000.

Vincent Roy, city councillor for the Aylmer district, believes the project will restore a recreational space for young people who frequent the marina. He notes that the foundation of the refrigerated ice rink, which is unused during the summer, provides an ideal opportunity to accommodate the infrastructure without compromising the rink’s return in the winter.

This facility is part of a pilot project. The city plans to evaluate its use over the coming months to determine whether the trail could be relocated to another area of Gatineau in future seasons. This approach will help identify the locations where this type of infrastructure best meets residents’ needs, pending the eventual development of permanent facilities.

Until now, residents of the Aylmer area generally had to travel to other parts of Gatineau or even to Ottawa to access similar facilities. The arrival of this pump track therefore fulfills a need that has been expressed for several years by roller sports enthusiasts in western Gatineau.