Grimm breaks tie to approve pump track grant application

SANDPOINT — After Sandpoint City Council was split 3-3, Mayor Jeremy Grimm cast the tiebreaking vote at a Sept. 18 meeting to approve a grant application seeking state funds. 

Sandpoint will seek $350,000 in grant money from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Fund for the installation of a proposed asphalt pump track at Travers Park. 

“We’re seeing asphalt pump tracks being built all over the West right now,” said Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker, who brought the grant opportunity to the council’s attention. “These belong in city parks — that’s where they’re being built all over the country.” 

A pump track is a network of paths with undulating rises designed to be used by bicyclists, skateboarders, and other wheeled recreationalists. 

In the proposal brought before councilors, the pump track — if funded — would be constructed on the west edge of Travers Park near the current site of a 6,000 cubic-yard pile of dirt excavated during construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center. 

In the proposed project, dirt from the pile would be used as construction material for the track. Welker described the mound as being equivalent to 300 dump truck loads and estimated the value of the material to be about $100,000. 

If approved, the city would also contribute $20,000 of staff resources to the project for management and landscaping in the area. 

“We want to basically turn this into a green corner of the property,” said Welker, who said that about half of the project funds would go toward beautifying the area with trees and other features. 

“That pile of dirt is still going to be there when we’re done with the James E. Russell Center, and we just want to turn that into something beautiful and something fun for the kids, for the families.” 

Welker also specified that the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking “shovel-ready” projects that can be completed by the end of 2025, limiting the opportunity for city officials to significantly alter the proposed project. 

Nine commentors endorsed the proposal during the public comment period of the meeting, emphasizing its potential utility to kids and families. 

“I view the installation of an asphalt pump track at Travers as an opportunity to provide teens with another healthy outlet for their energy — something they desperately need,” said Leticia Mullen. 

Tyler Kee, who serves on the board of local bike club Pend Oreille Pedalers, suggested the track would give young riders a place to progress their skills. 

 “I have seen kids and the tenacity, courage, grit, and mental fortitude that they develop with their interactions with bicycles is a true lifelong benefit,” Kee told councilors. 

Commentor Christine Moon, who was against approving the grant proposal, pointed to other areas of city development. 

“I think we need to really focus on infrastructure,” Moon said. “This is not the time to be asking for city resources or funding for a niche amenity.” 

Before the vote, Councilor Kyle Schreiber expressed concern about centralization in Sandpoint’s parks system. 

“The problem with (centralization) is that if you look at any big box store, there’s far more area spent on parking than there is on actual retail space,” Schreiber said. 

“Adding more amenities is just going to add more need for parking, which means less space leftover for actual park,” he added. 

Schreiber asked the council to consider the need for investment in parks across Sandpoint rather than Travers alone. 

“I would really like to see this money be allocated to a different part of town,” he said. “Kids build independence by being able to walk to the park rather than being chauffeured across town to one centralized park.” 

“It appears to me that Travers is over-inundated,” said Councilor Pam Duquette. “I’ve researched a pump track — I think it looks awesome. If my kids were young, they would love it also. I don’t think it belongs in Travers.” 

Ultimately, councilors Joel Aispuro, Scheiber, and Duquette voted against approving the proposal, while Rick Howarth, Justin Dick, and Council President Deb Ruehle voted in favor. 

If the grant application is approved, councilors will still need to vote whether to accept the money and go through with the project. According to Welker, Sandpoint officials will likely learn about the application’s outcome by the end of October.

    If the grant is approved, the project will utilize fill material unearthed during construction of the James E. Russell Sports Center.