The track at the Marie Davidson BMX Park is due for significant safety upgrades, which the City of Nanaimo has pledged to help with. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

Big changes

New starting gate, track revamp being designed for Nanaimo BMX park

Nov 13, 2019 | 8:37 AM

NANAIMO — The nearly 30-year-old BMX track in Nanaimo is set to receive some significant upgrades.

The Nanaimo BMX Association is looking to redesign the Marie Davidson BMX Track in Beban Park, as well as replace the starting gate and relocate the hill where hundreds of riders launch from.

Association spokesperson Keir Graaten, father of renowned nine-year-old rider Piper Graaten, recently told Nanaimo councillors the changes mean a bright and busy future for the track.

“These improvements would allow us to extend our season, hold larger events and help position our riders to be on top of the podium for many years to come.”

The Association has already raised over $70,000 to replace the starting gate.

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A request for $35,000 from the City of Nanaimo to fund continuing design work was approved by councillors at the finance and audit committee on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Recommendations at the committee level are almost always endorsed at the council level.

The money will be considered in the budget discussions for the 2020-2024 financial plan created by the City later in 2019.

Final costs for upgrades to the BMX track are expected in early 2020.

Roughly 350 riders from across the mid island are members at the track, which is the only Canadian stop on the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship series qualifier.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit