The Town of Orangeville and the Orangeville Lions Club have teamed up to build a BMX park in the west end this spring. The development of a BMX park comes in response to input from some local youths and the Lions Club’s desire to take on a new community project. The Town will contribute $5,000 through the Community Matching Fund Park Improvements Program and the Lions Club will contribute an estimated $10,000 to $15,000.

Director of Parks and Recreation Sonya Pritchard says the BMX park is a great idea, giving the BMX riders a space of their own. She notes that the park can be used by anyone on a mountain bike wanting to try out some hills and jumps. The BMX park will be located on the Alder Street Recreation Centre property and is considered a great location because of its proximity to the recreation facilities and its accessibility to the Orangeville Trailway system. Kids will be able to bike right up to the park from nearly all over Town.

Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams says it’s exciting for the Town to be able to offer another initiative for local youths. “It’s an opportunity for BMXers and mountain bikers to get out and be active. The Town is very fortunate to have service clubs, such as the Lions, who do so much to make our community better. They are committed to this newest project and I’m sure it will be a success.”

Orangeville Lions Club member Frank Gray states that the BMX park will be an asset to the town. “We have heard a lot of positive feedback from local residents; people are excited to have another activity for kids to get involved in.”

The Lions Club approached Brent ‘Smitty’ Smith of Burlington, an expert in the sport, to help design the park. Through his input, and the input of many local BMXers, a design for the park has been created. The Lions Club members will be taking a hands-on approach to the project, and they will be physically involved in the building of the park.

Smitty has been involved in BMX and mountain biking for more than 30 years. He has made the finals at many of the world’s largest BMX events and captured the Canadian National Pro title four times. He applauds municipalities like Orangeville. “They are taking a proactive approach to the safety of BMX bikers by creating a secure area for them to bike.”

Smitty is working with the Town of Orangeville staff, the Orangeville Lions Club and local youths to design a track and hopes that it can be used for an introductory BMX program and some fun races. The track will be approximately 700 metres long. The design will accommodate riders of all skill levels, as it will have jumps to allow inexperienced riders to ‘roll’ over them while more experienced riders can get air off of the same jumps. This allows even the youngest riders to participate safely. However, he recommends a full face helmet for riders of all skill levels.

Construction is slated to begin as soon as the snow melts and should take approximately one week to complete. A grand opening celebration is planned for June 5, to run in conjunction with Summer Program Information Day and a Lions Club barbecue.

The Community Matching Fund Parks Improvement Program is an initiative sponsored by the Town of Orangeville to provide funding support to community groups interested in enhancing neighbourhood parks. The Town of Orangeville will match contributions, up to $5000, for community-based projects that make our parks more welcoming, fun and safe.