Legal action against the town is holding up progress on finalizing a design for a trail system that runs through Rimoka’s land where the new lodge is located.
Chairman of Rimoka Foundation, Paul McLauchlin said LI Ranches has served the town of Rimbey with a statement of claim for their concerns relating to the town’s trail system.
“With this legal action (ongoing) the ability to identify a reasonable connection point to the trail south is difficult.”
McLauchlin said the lawsuit is due to conflict regarding a verbal agreement between LI Ranches and an individual representing the Town of Rimbey. According to the complainant, the town had promised to build a road through the land where the new lodge is located, he noted. Based on that promise, the land that the trail is on was donated to the town by LI Ranches, he added.
“There is no record in council of that promise, but LI Ranches is basing its lawsuit on lack of fulfillment of that verbal agreement,” said McLauchlin.
The trail cannot be re-opened until this legal action has been resolved,” he said, “and I don’t know how long it will be tied up in court.”
McLauchlin said Rimoka Foundation plans to work with the town to incorporate a design for access to the trail system through the Rimoka project lands this fall and winter.
“When designs are completed we will share with the community at large our vision for the area and a plan for completing the project.”
Due to the lawsuit, however, a date or time cannot be given when the trail will be completed and re-opened.
“We would like to ensure residents that it will continue to function in its previous capacity when it is re-opened,” he said.
“The Rimbey trail system has been a great benefit to the community of Rimbey and this lawsuit has negatively affected this great trail, the Rimoka Foundation, the town and the citizens of Rimbey. We hope to reach a resolution in a timely manner,” he added.
Mayor Rick Pankiw had no comment as the matter is in litigation.