Pump track coming to Fort-Coulonge

Pump track coming to Fort-Coulonge

Fort-Coulonge’s municipal council has decided to offer teenagers a first in the Pontiac, with the creation of a “pump track” which should be constructed next year. Mayor Christine Francoeur explained the concept of a pump track, where riders can use body movement to gain momentum over a series of small humps and corners.

“Christine Francoeur: A pump track, okay in French, that’s the English word, but in French, we really say, une piste de pompage. I’ll tell you exactly what the dictionary says.

François Carrier: I don’t even know what it is, with a pump track. Go ahead.

Christine Francoeur: It’s a loop course, made up of bumps and banked turns. This is the dictionary definition.

François Carrier: But this is good. I guess it’s for bikes or rollerblades?

Christine Francoeur: Yes exactly.

François Carrier : Skateboards

Christine Francoeur: Yes, bikes and skateboards, that’s right. We’re also told that people who are roller bladers could use this too.”

For the town council, it is a new attraction to bring together the teens from the area and keep them active.

“The teens, will know this a little bit more than the rest of us and then, the young at heart too, it must be said,” Francoeur said (translated). “Well, yes, there is a demand for it. It’s something, it’s the new thing that is there, for the young people. So, really, that’s what we wanted to do. The council, we met, then we said, we really, really need to find something for our teenagers. Now, that doesn’t mean that a 7-8 year old can’t use it, that’s not what we’re saying at all, but we’re saying that it’s really aimed at teenagers. To give them a place to meet.”

The planning is underway and the track will be situated along rue Albert.

The full (French-language) interview with Francoeur, is available here