Bike Park ready to roll

BMX and mountain bike enthusiasts can now test their skills on three new bike tracks at Bannockburn Active Recreation Precinct in Victoria Park.

Works on the new community facility were officially marked complete on Monday 13 July by Geelong MP Christine Couzens and Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Owen Sharkey.

The extensive $1.2 million project features three new tracks for different skill levels from beginners to advanced with sharp turns, jumps and mounds, LED lighting, shaded rest areas, seating, car parking, connecting paths, a bike repair station and a drinking fountain.

Cr Sharkey said the facility had been more than 10 years in the making.

“It’s super exciting for us to see this come to fruition,” he said.

“I’ve seen the full lifespan of this project from advocacy to delivering it here over my ten years on council.

“The community has had a huge input into this, and now parents can drop their children off and enjoy the facility for a whole day.

“It will certainly be welcomed by the whole of Bannockburn and the Golden Plains Shire.”

The Bannockburn Bike Park Project is funded by $900,000 from Round 2 of the Victorian Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and $305,672 from Golden Plains Shire Council.

A further $50,000 will be invested towards initiatives supporting participation for people with disability at the bike park.

Couzens echoed his sentiment, expressing the significance of new sporting and leisure opportunities available in Bannockburn.

“This is something that has been on the cards for a while, and we are so thrilled to be able to fund this,” she said.

“It’ll be a great facility for our young people, but also for parents and families.

“It feels like only a week ago that we were here turning the sod, and now it’s complete. It’s just so exciting.”

The project was overseen by leading Australian integrated trail solutions organisation Trailworx.

The Queensland group handled all elements of the works, from initial consultation and concept design, through to construction, signage, and now long-term maintenance.

“This asphalt pump track is just first class, what an awesome facility,” said Trailworx general manager Sunni Chandra.

“We’ve got beginner loops and advanced tracks. There is no barrier to entry and you can come and just give it a go.

“It’s fantastic to see so many children sinking their teeth into it and giving it a go already.”