Council votes down Brockington’s motion to allow tobogganing at Mooney’s Bay

Sledding will remain off-limits at the Mooney's Bay tobogganing hill this winter, despite efforts from councillor Riley Brockington.

Brockington had put forward a motion to make changes to the hill in order to allow tobogganing this season, but that was defeated 11-12. 

In early 2022, city council decided the hill was no longer safe for sledding, and said it would be installing fencing, and several other comprehensive protective measures. 

The move came after a fatal accident on Dec. 17, 2021, that left an 11-year-old girl dead. 

Also, following the accident, an internal working group with multi-departmental representation reviewed the hill.

Municipal Risk Assessment (MRA) conducted an on-location review and concluded that because of the size and steepness of the slope, along with the multitude of hazards found at the bottom of every area of the hill, there is no area of the hill that is “acceptable” for sledding.

“The consultant that we hired back in January, as a result of the fatality, recommended that we not sanction sledding on this hill,” said Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services general manager Dan Chenier.

Chenier said the consultant estimated sleds on the north side of the hill can reach speeds of 70-80 km/h going from top to bottom. To reduce those speeds, the run would have to be reduced significantly, wood chips and sand would need to be put in place, along with some kind of separation. 

“We're not convinced that we can do that on such a regular basis that we're fully mitigating the risks,” Chenier said. “Because of that, we've had concerns and fundamentally believe that the hill, unless it is significantly modified, should not be reopened.”

However, in Brockington's opinion, the hill could have been made safer for winter activities by installing a fenced in area and adjusting the starting point for sledders.  

“The public is looking for an option here,” Brockington told council. “The option is to bring that fencing down from the summit and allow people a starting point at the midpoint, or some other point, which I believe is doable.”

Brockington also said the feedback from the public has been strong, and most would like to see the site retained for the purpose of tobogganing. 

“It's very tragic, obviously the death last year — and injuries that happen across the city at various toboggan hills,” Brockington said. “The goal is to try and help mitigate those risks and still allow people to get outside and enjoy winter activities including tobogganing.”

Brockington's proposal also called for staff to go back and review options for modifying the hill and what the potential cost would be to do that.