Elite BMX facility gets Rotorua Council support

Rotorua District Council's Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee has given 'in principle' support to proposals to build an elite international BMX facility on its land.

The new facility would be built by the Rotorua BMX Club on land commonly referred to as the 'Horse Paddock', and would replace the Club's current BMX track near District's wastewater treatment plant.

The most recent meeting of the Council's Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee heard that the existing track was subject to increasingly high maintenance costs because of its location in an active geothermal field, and was becoming difficult to maintain to standards that would attract high level events in the future.

The Club proposes constructing an all-weather free-draining track with the potential to be "the best in the country" and mow plans to produce a design that meets elite international standards. Car parking, toilets and club rooms are also proposed at the site.

The Rotorua BMX Club anticipates the need to raise funds in the region of $600,000 for the project and would seek council assistance in approaching organisations for financial support.

At present there are only two elite level BMX tracks in the country, one in Auckland and the other in Wellington.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee Chair Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said the BMX facility would not only support the council's Rotorua 2030 long-term goal around 'outstanding places to play,' but would also support economic growth objectives by attracting visitors, and leveraging business opportunities and employment.

Raukawa-Tait explained "with our city's tourism infrastructure and the new facility in place, Rotorua could easily host major national BMX events which regularly attract 1,000 or more competitors, or even international meets.

"This proposal fits well with our growing reputation as a world class biking destination, and complements our status as the country's mountain biking capital.

"However, the Council's support is one of 'in principle' only at this stage and there is a lot of work to be done, but it gives the BMX club a mandate to proceed with planning, design and a fundraising programme."

Rotorua BMX Club President Grant Butterworth said he was delighted with the Council's support for the club's proposals, adding "we're looking forward to working closely with RDC on this project.

"It's a really bold initiative but through a strong collaborative partnership with the council and other community partners we have the potential to create something really special for Rotorua and for our community."

11th February 2014 - ANTICIPATION GROWS IN ADVANCE OF OPENING OF REDEVELOPED CHRISTCHURCH SKATE PARK