North Cypress-Langford Council: Balancing Agricultural and Recreation Needs

Dominating this month’s meeting of the North Cypress-Langford Council is a delegation from the Westman ATV Association. The RM and the association first negotiated in 2022 over the original ATV trail that runs through Crown lands on the west side of the municipality. The trails were not supported by many local residents due to trespassing concerns and environmental damage, but were approved by the Crown Lands Branch which has authority over the land, including that which is leased out to producers. In the situation currently before Council, a new trail for an upcoming derby runs across a municipal right of way, which brought forward concerns about liability.

The delegation was able to address that concern, assuring Council they would be covered under the association’s insurance, and as well as updated Council on how having the designated trails, and not just riding ATVs off road, gives them access to sustainable funding from the provincial government to help them conduct maintenance and add signage to the trail areas. The ATV association and Council were able to come to an agreement on the use of the right of way in time for the association to apply for and receive a permit for the derby.

Also covered at this month’s meeting were ER coverage for the Carberry Health Centre, an increased number of water hookups for the RM, and rec district contributions from neighbouring municipalities.