Locomotive embarking on another journey
Source: Stuff
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The growing number of BMX riders in the Wairarapa will soon be gunning it on a refurbished track, thanks to a grant from the Trust House foundation.
The growing number of BMX riders in the Wairarapa will soon be gunning it on a refurbished track, thanks to a grant from the Trust House foundation.
Built in 1981, the Masterton BMX track was once home to the Central Wairarapa BMX Club which, in its heyday, had more than 300 members. The track was considered as good as any in the country at the time but, by the mid-90s, with the surge of interest in mountain biking, the Club had folded and the track fell into disrepair. There’s renewed interest in BMX riding now though, and a group of BMX enthusiasts, led by Kane Harris, reckon that the track deserves to be returned to its former glory.
The $7,500 grant from the Trust House Foundation is a huge boost to the project and will hopefully open the way for other funders to come on-board. Volunteers have clocked up more than 60 hours ‘hard labour’ so far, and the Foundation funds make a significant contribution to the $25,000 needed to complete the job.
The aim is to create a BMX environment that supports children and their families to ride for fun and fitness and create great memories. For thrill-seekers with a competitive spirit, the track will also provide an outlet to test their mettle and durability against other riders.
“The reality is we need more dedicated spaces like the track for children to develop safety skills and for kids to explore cycling,” says Kane.“We want to keep it as old school as possible, so don’t want to make too many changes to it. When finished, the track will be complete with all of the features of the “glory days” such as the white painted old tyres outlining the track.”
Source: GMANZ