Council seeks top BMX site

By Alison Noonan
CASEY’S top-class BMX riders could soon be performing big backflips and massive airs in front of a home crowd.
Council is on the hunt for a suitable site within the city to construct a competition-level BMX track to accommodate the growing population of extreme sport enthusiasts.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler called for the new track at last week’s council meeting during a discussion on the need for upgrades to the city’s 14 existing trails.
Cr Butler said BMX riders were currently forced to compete at state-of-the-art facilities in Knox and Frankston and would jump at the chance to ride closer to home.
“We have a lot of serious competitors in Casey but no competition level track,” he said.
“It doesn’t cost a lot to construct — it’s just mounds of dirt.
“This is something we have a lot of residents wanting to use. People ask me all the time about BMX tracks.”
Cr Butler suggested building a new track at council’s new premier sporting facility Casey Fields.
“Why not construct one at Casey Fields where there is plenty of room to put it?
“The costs would be very minimal because we could just collect the dirt as we go while building Casey Fields,” he said.
Councillors also voted to refer $12,000 for consideration to the 2006/07draft capital works budget to undertake major improvements at council’s existing tracks.
An independent audit conducted late last year revealed many of the popular sites were in desperate need of upgrades to return them “to an acceptable standard”.
The audit identified Kanooka Grove and Waratah South Reserve in Doveton and Amber Crescent Reserve in Narre Warren as the three tracks most in need of improvements.
It recommended new tracks be built at these locations at a cost of $1760 each.
The remaining 11 sites will be cleaned up, supplied with new soil and the direction repaired as part of the works.
Councillors also agreed to consider funding the construction of a new track in Em Barker Reserve in the Hallam Gardens Estate.
Strathard Ward councillor Michael Farley said the news would thrill the city’s growing BMX fans.
“Kids were asking me if council could build a bike track while I was doorknocking. I had half a dozen youngsters following me around so it is definitely needed,” he said.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith agreed, claiming the popularity of BMX riding was on the increase in Casey.
“Hampton Park has had one for years and it is well used,” he said.