Kelowna BMX set to get new track next Spring

Kelowna BMX may have parked their bikes for the winter, but they certainly have not slowed down.

The local sports club celebrated the approaching reconstruction of their track on Sunday afternoon with a brief open house.

With 174 athletes registered from ages as young as two up to 50, the club is always looking to grow and harvest healthy competition.

With hosting a gold qualifier and a national competition on the horizon for the club, president Ron Koch figured it’s time for an update.

“After about three years a track just gets old, the kids start to get tired of doing the same thing every week, and the challenge has gone away,” said Koch

For the last week, generous volunteers and local businesses have donated their time and equipment to deconstruct the current track and prep for winter.

"Without the community's support we couldn't do any of this," added Koch.

Among the many volunteers is Kelowna local, and motocross legend, Bruce Cook. “I’ve actually spent a ton of hours at this track when I was super young," said Cook.

"Sometimes its hard when sports like hockey and soccer always take the spotlight so to see the potential for sports like these in Kelowna get to a national level is amazing and any bit I can help is awesome.”

Construction of the new course and obstacles is set to begin on Mar. 23, 2019, and is set to open in early April, giving athletes enough time to prepare for the Canadian Grand Championships in Chilliwack the following October.