Bike park development about to start
Published on 11 March 2016
11 March 2016
Fences are about to go up on the grassed area adjacent to the Splash Centre as the first stage of the new bike park development gets under way.
The bike park is an initiative that was ignited by cycling enthusiast Greig Brodie resulting in a partnership between Sport Whanganui and the Wanganui Mountain Bike Club. In November the Whanganui District Council gave the go-ahead for the group to use vacant land at Springvale Park between the Splash Centre and YMCA. The Council is not contributing financially to the project.
The bike park will include pump tracks for junior and senior level riders with a learn to ride track to be constructed in the future.
Wanganui Mountain Bike Club spokesperson Doug Rennie said the bike park is “a great opportunity to promote cycling and family recreation in Whanganui”.
The community project will be done in stages, with individuals, groups and local businesses working voluntarily. Whanganui businesses Bullocks, Jurgens and Loaders are providing machinery, dirt and labour to assist the project. Doug Rennie of the Bike Shed and Wanganui Mountain Bike Club is designing the pump tracks, while For Our Kids is donating funds to put towards signs, fencing and picnic tables.
The first stage, which is expected to be finished by early April, will include erecting safety fencing around the site, moving dirt on to the site to build the tracks and marking out the tracks. Because the project relies on the availability of voluntary labour, there is no firm completion date.
Whanganui District Council sport and recreation portfolio holder Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan commended the individuals, groups and businesses involved in the project.
“This is a true community project and it’s fantastic to see the enthusiasm from people and businesses throughout our community who have volunteered to help make it happen,” Cr Baker-Hogan said.
For further information regarding this community project or if you would like to contribute in any way, please contact Jodie Brunger at Sport Whanganui.