More river access in works for boaters

Following outcry and concern from boating groups, council has proposed a new river access strategy to ease boat launches on Calgary waterways.

The strategy would see the number of approved river access spots — including boat launches, hand launches and wading pools — rise from nine to 34 by 2022. Coun. Shane Keating said that before the 2013 flood, Calgary had more than a dozen public river access sites, and the proposed strategy would see a return to pre-flood numbers while adding additional launches.

“We’re re-establishing a number of them, because they used to be there but they were closed over time,” Keating said. “We’re actually putting back in play what used to be open for a long time.”

Construction would start this year on six priority locations identified in a report, at a cost of nearly $1.69 million. Coun. Shane Keating said the city could earn the money back “tenfold” through increased river tourism.

“Not only are we giving service to the residents by doing this, but you are also increasing the economic spinoffs that come to Calgary as well,” Keating said. “I consider it a small amount invested into a very worthy tourist attraction.”

Keating said adding the additional access points will help form a river access network, allowing Calgarians to get out on the water in many locations around the city without effecting the environment.

Chuck Lee, executive director of Alberta Whitewater Association, said the number of recreational river users has been climbing steadily since 2013.