Track needs upgrade so riders are able to improve their skills
I have been heavily involved with trying to get the BMX track at the Castle Field, Spalding, rebuilt ("Young 'vandals' risk losing Castle BMX track" Spalding Guardian, April 23).
It is in desperate need of modernisation so the basic skills of BMX can be coached. It also suffers from litter as there are no bins in that area of the Castle Field, despite requesting SHDC to provide them, and there is often a lot of broken glass on the track.
I've worked with Phil Perry and Dan Matson at SHDC to improve the facilities. After a lot of effort the track was resurfaced with the correct material last year.
A complete rebuild to bring it up to regional/national standard would cost more than 50,000. Sports clubs can apply for grants to improve and maintain facilities but would need to have a lengthy lease.
SHDC is unable to give us a lease. That may have something to do with the council putting its decision to sell the Castle Field "on hold" until the economic climate improves.
I suggested the track could have a minor rebuild to at least enable the cycling club to coach the basics of BMX racing and perhap volunteers could carry out the necessary work.
This was rejected by SHDC due to us not having the appropriate training and skills or being able to guarantee and insure the work.
If the BMX track does not have some modernisation, such as some new jumps and obstacles, then it risks being subject to vandalism again and ultimately closed.
A lot of kids use the BMX track to hone their cycling skills, socialise and interact with others and get some much needed exercise.
There are a lot of people out there that would like to see the BMX track brought back to life.
STEWART ELDERKIN
Priory Road
Spalding
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Spalding
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: East
