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MLBLUE
WINTER2017
THORNBURYCABLEPARKONTAP
UP
FRONT
WhenCedar RunHorse Parkwent into receivership in2015, itmeant no
more rodeos for the townof Thornbury.Did anyone notice?Not really. But
what’s happeningwith that giant piece of property?Well if the newowners
have anything to say about it, it’ll be a cable park by the summer of 2018.
What’s a cable park, you ask?Think of it aswakeboardingwithout the boat.
Basically the rider’s rope andhandle are pulledby an electrically driven cable
that is suspended above thewater.Think of it as a really fast T-Bar. It opens
upwakeboarding topeople that can’t afford a boat (let alone the gas to
fuel itwith) andhas huge crossover potential for kiteboarders, surfers and
snowboarders. If you’re intoboardsports of any kind, you’ll love riding at a
cable park.
“The plan is to redevelop the property into an environmentally sustainable
recreation facility that’s open to all ages and skill levels,” says BayouCable
Park’s president BrennanGrange.
With two straight line ponds in the plans andone circular pond, the facility
wouldwork a lot like the local ski hills: half day or full day passeswouldbe
availablewith lessons and camps alsoonoffer.Therewouldbe equipment
rentals and advanced sectionswith jumps and rails.
“Ourmaindemographicwouldbe young families and kids,” saysGrange.“It
would also attract international riders,withnational contests. But themain
clientelewouldbe young families that are intooutdoor recreation. Itwouldbe
a good fit for the area.”
Rumoured tobe on the short list for demonstration sports in the 2024
Olympics, cable parkwakeboarding is not new to the province.There are
nine parks inOntario; the closest public facility is theRanchWake Park in
Newmarket, but Thornburywouldbe the first full-sizedpark.
Grange,who tried toopen a similar park near Orangeville, is fully aware of the
development difficulties that lie ahead.TheOrangeville projectwas shut down
in2014when council rejectedhis request to change the zoning from rural
to recreational. But so far, the response tohis current project inThornbury is
encouraging.
“I formally proposed the idea in September and council seemedquite
supportive of it,” saysGrange.“Then I had ameetingwith the planning staff
whowere also really supportive. Butwe have a longway togo.”
—Colin Field
RanchWakePark,Kettleby,Ontario. RICHARDROTH
“The plan is to redevelop the property into an
environmentally sustainable recreation facility that’s
open to all ages and skill levels…”
