A popular motocross track near Alix has been given the green light to extend its hours.
Greg and Vonda Martens have been operating Xtreme Raceways since 2002 and it has become a major draw for motocross riders from across central Alberta and as far north as Beaumont.
The Martens were before Lacombe County’s municipal planning commission to ask that they be allowed to operate every Sunday between May and October.
Their previous approval restricted riding to two Sundays a month, along with the regular Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday operating days. It could also open on Mondays of long weekends. Five weekend race days with extended hours are also permitted.
Vonda told planning commission members, which is comprised of council members, that the additional Sundays would be helpful because of the unpredictability of weather. Riders cannot use the track when its wet. Since track opening hours have to be advertised in advance, if it rains the track must be closed and one of the two Sundays allowed is lost.
In a month of rainy Sundays, potentially, they may not be able to open at all on that day under the existing restrictions, she added.
Allowing it to open every Sunday, provides more flexibility to cope with bad weather. Weather permitting, it would provide an additional 10 hours of riding per month.
The county’s approval allows for riding until the end of October, but no race events happen after the September long weekend and only a small number of riders visit the track each week after that.
The Martens told planning commission members that the track has become a popular destination for dirt bike-riding families, with up to 80 young riders showing up to improve their riding skills on some days.
“The excitement for me is to see where these kids start to where they finish at the end of the season,” he said.
It also has become a source of employment for youth in the area, especially on race days when about 20 local youngsters get jobs.
Several track users also spoke in favour of the facility at the planning commission meeting, saying it provided a valuable outdoor recreational activity and a location where dirt bike owners could ride safely.
Not all were happy to see the potential for more motocross action in the area.
Neighbour John McClelland wants to see existing operating hours reduced and is opposed to allowing more Sunday riding.
County planning staff said in a report to the commission that there have been no complaints about the track since 2019 and “believe a reduction in hours from the current approval is not warranted.”
McClelland said the lack of complaints has more to do with neighbours giving up complaining because of the lack of response or action by the county.
“What’s the point of taking the time to write a letter and nothing being done about it?”
He said he may be the only one vocalizing his opposition, but there are other residents who do not want to see operating hours extended.
The planning commission approved a five-year conditional approval for Xtreme Raceways subject to appeal.