Bournemouth BMX Track Community Facility

21 Oct 2023

We do hope that point 1 of your Place & Environment Key Objectives will include support for the development of the BMX track at Iford.

Bournemouth has been providing a free to ride facility for the community for the past 41 Years. Speak to many people born after 1970 in the local area and they will recall fun had at some point riding the track, getting exercise in a healthy environment.

It is a fantastic facility that greatly benefits the local community and the sport of BMX racing. But of course, the facility does require continued investment to maintain its upkeep and periodic modernisation, to keep up with the sports changing requirements and expectations, and to comply with British Cycling (BC) regulations. This is necessary to attract BC to host national race meetings, which brings thousands of visitors to Bournemouth, benefiting the local economy, and to give our local riders a chance to do well competing nationally, in Europe and worldwide.

Investment is needed now to:

1. ensure the club can continue to host introductory sessions for new riders of all ages; training, coaching for novice and expert riders by repairing/replacing the berms.

2. meet the most up-to-date standards required for BMX race tracks including longer track length and a more challenging layout for expert and elite racers meaning the facility can be a genuine base for international standard training and development, access and spectator facilities, so we can continue to host national standard events.

3. enable use of the site throughout the winter season, doubling the use of the facility by the local community and club members outside of scheduled training and coaching sessions.

By improving and upgrading the facility in these ways, the club will be adding to the vibrancy of our community, skills of our people, quality of life and strength of our economy.

The proposals encompassed in the BCP Vision include:

· modify and extend the existing track

· installation of lighting and power

· installation of new start hill with storage and club facilities underneath