Brief
Burnaby councillor pushes to reopen Velodrome Trail before Oct. 17 election
The BCA candidate says the steep Burnaby Mountain hike will be repaired and upgraded before voting day.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Burnaby City Councillor and Burnaby Citizens Association (BCA) candidate Daniel Tetrault said the party plans to restore the Velodrome Trail – the mountain’s steep 1.4‑km hike – before the municipal election on Oct. 17, 2026.
The trail, which climbs about 240 metres and includes a 500‑step wooden staircase, has been closed since April 2025 because of erosion and deteriorating steps, according to a city closure notice. Tetrault told Daily Hive Urbanized that the route’s slope and stair condition make it unsafe, and that “it’s not a quick, easy fix.” He added that the BCA will reassess what can be done and aims to bring the trail back “even better.”
The Velodrome Trail starts near the Harry Jerome Sports Centre velodrome off Barnet Highway, connects to Pandora Trail, and leads toward the Kamui Mintara sculptures and the upper park area near Simon Fraser University’s mountaintop campus. Before the closure, the trail attracted walkers and runners seeking a challenging uphill climb and offered views of Burrard Inlet, Indian Arm and the surrounding mountains.
Tetrault highlighted that reopening the trail could also drive visitors to the nearby Mintara Restaurant, which recently expanded its deck. He said the restaurant could provide a place for hikers to eat or drink after the climb.
The BCA is fielding eight candidates for city council and seven for the school board in the upcoming election, but does not have a mayoral candidate.
Key facts
- The Velodrome Trail has been closed since April 2025 due to erosion and deteriorating wooden steps. (dailyhive.com)
- The trail is 1.4 km long with about 240 m of elevation gain and a 500‑step staircase. (dailyhive.com)
- Councillor Daniel Tetrault says the BCA aims to restore the trail before the Oct. 17, 2026 municipal election. (dailyhive.com)
- The trail begins near the Harry Jerome Sports Centre velodrome and connects to Pandora Trail on Burnaby Mountain. (dailyhive.com)
- BCA is running eight council candidates and seven school‑board candidates in the election. (dailyhive.com)
Sources
- [1] dailyhive.com — originally reported as “City councillor wants to revive Burnaby's answer to the Grouse Grind | Daily Hive | Urbanized”
