Bannockburn bike park works on track

A wheelie good time is set for Bannockburn residents after works began last week on a new bike park.

Ground was broken last week at the Bannockburn Active Recreation Precinct in Victoria Park.

With BMX and mountain bike riders in mind, the park will have three tracks for those beginners to advanced, with LED lighting, jumps and mounds.

Shaded rest areas, seating, car parking, connecting paths, a bike repair station and a drinking fountain will also be added next to the Bannockburn Skate Park.

Residents were consulted on the design of the park, which has received $950,000 from the state government and $305,672 from Golden Plains Shire.

About $50,000 will be put towards initiatives that support participation for people with disability at the bike park.

Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens, said Bannockburn residents had advocated for the park.

“It’s really exciting to actually be here today, to break ground,” she said.

Ms Couzens said she was proud the government was delivering for Bannockburn and its growing population, particularly in the areas of sport and recreation.

“Bannockburn is home to a growing community of mountain bike and BMX riders, and it’s great to see they’ll soon have the new bike tracks they deserve,” she said.

“It’s projects like this, and the skate park, that make this venue a hub for young people to come together and enjoy the activities they love.”

Golden Plains Shire mayor Owen Sharkey said it was important young people in townships such as Bannockburn were “given regional centres to this scale”.

“This creates a fantastic space and an engaging space,” he said.

The project is expected to open to the public in the middle of the year.

BY CHRISTOPHER O’LEARY AND NATHAN RIVALLAND