BMX Launch a Success
Saturday 12th March marked the official opening of the new BMX track at Gallagher Park, Bedlington.
Riders from as far a field as Scotland and North Yorkshire attended to take part in the celebration day, which brought an estimated 500 people to the park.
National Senior BMX Champion Kelvin Batey said "This is an exciting opportunity to develop BMX in Northumberland. With support from NE BMX and PC Steve McIntosh from the Barnesbury CC the Friends of Gallagher Park Community Group have done an amazing job".
Kelvin and the coaches from British Cycling and the 3Sixty display team worked throughout the day to entertain the crowds. George Webster the Chair of the Friends of Gallagher Park said "I'm extremely proud to finally see the projects build phase complete. The day was aimed at all aspects of our community, celebrating the success of getting this facility built within the park to increase the range of activities that our local youngsters can access".
The BMX Project received funding through the Lottery Community Spaces fund and was managed by Groundwork North East. Mark Osborne from Groundwork North East said "the track has stimulated young people to start to use the park again. Usage has been incredibly high considering the poor weather over the winter and today was no exception with large numbers of locals mixing it with National riders. With local County Councillors Val Tyler and Jeff Gobin supporting the scheme, it really has been a community project Bedlington can be proud of".
PC Steve McIntosh who helped the group summed up the day "It was a very enjoyable day for the local people to be proud of. Hopefully the local cycling club can build on this great start".
Anyone interested in volunteering or interested in qualifying to coach BMX is urged to contact Chris Gray from Barnesbury CC at cngray@hotmail.co.uk.
Chris Gray from the club said "the event has shown the club's intent to develop the sport of BMX within the park". We would like to develop all aspects of cycle sport in Bedlington but are looking to someone with experience of riding to qualify to coach".
The group coach off road cycling in the park on a fortnightly basis and are helping to organise a mountain bike event later in June which could lead to youngsters riding at the World Cup Event in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire.
