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A bike track in Preston is to get a new lease of life after the group that uses it most rode to the rescue to help keep it in operation.
The BMX course at Fishwick Recreation Ground is in need of essential repair work in order to remain open.
Preston City Council has agreed to accept a £30,000 donation from the Preston Pirates BMX Club, which will be used to replace two of the large banked turns – or ‘berms’, as they officially known’ – that are nearing the end of their life.
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The money from the group, which operates the London Road facility, will be added to more than £18,500 allocated by the local authority from its share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The track opened 18 years ago and underwent a major refurbishment back in 2013 when it received a grant from Sports England to fund a lengthening of the course, along with the installation of floodlighting and better drainage.
Preston Pirates has more than 100 members and the club describes itself as being the largest in the North after what it says has been “rapid growth” in recent years.
A city council report detailing the funding arrangement for the works reveals that the berms have recently required “regular short-term fixes”, which have been delivered by the Pirates. However, it warns they will “eventually become too dangerous to use” and says their replacement is necessary so that the club and members of the public can continue using the track. The project will be managed by the authority’s parks service.
The UKSPF is a government cash pot intended to compensate local areas for the loss of EU regional funding. Preston City Council has so far been handed £5.5m to support a range of projects.
The Pirates were the second-largest team at last year’s British BMX Championships, with 28 of the 70 riders representing them making the finals – and two being crowned British Champion for their age category. The club also has riders with world and European rankings.
A statement on its website says: “Whilst the club celebrates individual success, it ensures riders give back to the community through our talent development programmes. In addition to our weekly coaching sessions, open track sessions and race series, mentoring sessions are run every fortnight, where our age 11+ riders take charge to develop the skills of the less experienced – [but] not necessarily younger – riders.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached the Preston Pirates for comment on its donation towards the new berms.
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