The Lakeside Golf Club and Slokker Homes cleared over 4 kilometres of pathways for Chestermere residents to enjoy.
The Lakeside Golf Club and Slokker Homes partners are encouraging Chestermere residents to get out, explore and safely enjoy the trail network that runs through the golf course and connects with wider existing pathways.
“The start of the New Year brings renewed hope, even during the darkest of time and we thought this is something that would make things a little brighter and easier for people,” said the President of Slokker Homes, Peter Paauw.
Adding, “It is with great pleasure that the lakeside partners offer this new multi-use trail network to be open for winter use by the general public.”
The cleared trails are for walking and running only, no cycling or other winter activities such as cross-country skiing are permitted, and dog walkers are reminded to keep their pets on a leash at all times.
“It’s been a hard winter. We know that getting outdoors and connecting with each other and with nature, in a safe and socially distanced way, offers tremendous benefits to one’s mental health and wellbeing,” Paauw said.
“Many of us have experienced the stress and anxiety brought on by COVID-19. We understand the loneliness and fear that arises from long periods of isolation,” he said.
The trails through the golf course connect Westmere Loop with the Rainbow and West Lake Trails, more than 12 kilometres of pathways.
“We’re hoping this makes it easier for everyone to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air,” Paauw said.
“There’s no need to let the Alberta winter keep you shut-in. Come out and discover the pathways for yourselves. Get some air, go for a run or a socially distanced walk and embrace the winter,” he added. “We are all in this together. Let’s be kind to one another and stay safe.”
Opening the golf course pathways is a great idea allowing those Chestermere residents who have not walked on the golf course previously to enjoy the beauty of the existing green space and the reason that it should be maintained as a golf course instead of being converted into a residential development. We all need to sign the petition under lakesidegreenspreservation.com to support their efforts.
I think the problem often lies with the neighbouring communities taking private golf courses for granted, and treating it as a public park. While golf as a sport is quickly falling out of popularity, communities do little to help support the private business. Attempts to develop (with mix results obviously) will unfortunately continue happen throughout the country as long as the golf courses are posting losses after losses.
Cute gesture by both parties.
Chestermere is valued by residents, both new and old for its unique small town feel and amenities such as lake and golf course.
To spill the beans a bit here, I have worked in major residential sectors in other provinces and rest assured, Chestermere is walking into the same dark path of looking for tax dollars rather than maintaining and or integrating the foundations of what makes Chestermere unique.
The residents need to better understand in my opinion there is a major lack of infrastructure planning such as roadway management, water and sewer management, school, recreation areas… that haven’t been upgraded to accommodate all these new developments.
If houses are going to be applied at the golf course, how is traffic being managed as the current infrastructure lacks sensible mobility as it is.
I must reply back to the comment about “golf as a sport is quickly falling out of popularity” that I strongly disagree, in fact I think the opposite is true.
There is a major disconnect that I have noticed with all the current developments around the area, and that is planning. House after house with no amenities is a detriment to this city and mostly to the wonderful residents here who value the beauty of this city.
Amendment to comments earlier. Website for petition as well as additional information is lakesidepreservation.com