By Dominic Abassi

Bike Park will become Memorial for Fallen Nanaimo Rider

Jul 25, 2016 | 3:20 PM

New purpose and passion has been thrown behind the long standing effort to expand the bike park in Beban Park.

The concept of a bike park, adjacent to the existing Marie Davidson BMX track in Beban Park, was approved as part of the overall updated park master plan in 2015.

Nanaimo council has now given approval to move on to the detailed design phase for the project.

One of the groups that has come to the table is the Stevie Smith Foundation. The foundation was formed after the tragic passing of the 26 year old, Nanaimo’s World Champion downhill mountain biker, in May.

It’s goal is to continue Steve’s legacy and fulfill his dream of building a bike park in his hometown.

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Foundation founder Michelle Corfield says they already knew they wanted to build the bike park for the community, but it was on the day of a memorial lap for Steve at the Beban BMX track that she got the idea to get involved with work that was already going on behind the scenes.

“We reached out to find out who was involved. We found out Gyro was involved and got in touch with them and the city and started making steps towards ensuring that people knew we were interested in helping in any way we could to get the park built,” said Corfield.

She says the concept, including a dirt jump track, skills trail and pump track, fulfills the vision Smith had for a local bike park.

“The reason I can say that is because I’ve had Gabe Fox over from Devinci Cycling to check the conceptual designs out. Darren Berrecloth, who is a pro freeride athlete for Red Bull, walked the site and has had significant input in the design. Everybody feels that this meets the need.”

The Gyro Club of Nanaimo is offering financial support and the Smith Foundation has agreed to come up with funds to cover all of the “soft costs” in partnership.

“We want to create a bike park that youth in Nanaimo can go to and enjoy, and those that come to us from other parts of the world can enjoy too.”

Following an emotional presentation from family and friends, council has agreed to name the park after Steve Smith, although an exact name hasn’t been nailed down yet. They’ve also agreed to approve the concept design, allocate $22,000 for detailed design work and support budgeting for the park in capital plans.

The city’s Kirsty MacDonald says work has been going on behind the scenes for several months and a large number of community groups have been consulted. She says the new bike park would be located adjacent to the existing BMX park, between that and the dog off-leash park.

The initial budget for the project is between $300,000 and $400,000, according to MacDonald. She says the timing of implementation depends on funding and council, while the detailed design work is expected to be wrapped up in the fall. She says there are a number of groups that are pledging contributions of cash and services.

This project, Corfield says, will be very meaningful to so many people, for different reasons.

“Everybody needs a place to go and to think and be grounded and reflect. I think this is the place that friends and supporters of Steven’s can come and have a ride and think about him and his training ground, because he grew up on the BMX track next door.”