Pedallers, get pumped!

The Steve Smith Bike Park is opening for a new cycling experience

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed August 4, 2017 1:00 PM

Summary

Crews are completing the final touches in preparation of the grand opening of the Steve Smith Bike Park scheduled for Wednesday, August 9. The public is invited to attend the opening ceremonies from 1 - 3 pm, after which the park will be officially open for use.

In November 2016, Nanaimo City Council approved up to $200,000 in funding for the Steve Smith Bike Park to be built in Beban Park. This project is an addition to the existing BMX park and includes a new dirt jump, return trail, and pump track. The skills park will be added to the site later this fall.

A number of community partnerships contributed financially and in-kind to the park including Gyro Club of Nanaimo and the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation.

Link to Strategic Plan: Active Lifestyle: Improving Nanaimo's community infrastructure and resources to enable residents to support one another in achieving an active and healthy place to live.

Key Points

The park is named after Steve Smith, a professional cyclist from the Nanaimo area, who tragically lost his life in May of 2016.
The Community Bike Park was included in the update of the Beban Master Plan.
After the formal opening ceremonies, there will be demonstrations by professional riders.

Quotes

"With the creation of this magnificent Bike Park, Stevie Smith's legacy will live on for generations to enjoy. Many compliments to the vast number of volunteers, supporters, businesses, service clubs, family and friends who made this state of the art facility in Steve's honour become a reality."

Bill Bestwick

Chair of Parks Recreation of Wellness

City of Nanaimo

"It has been an absolute honour to work on the Steve Smith Bike Park with over 80 different contributing donors; The Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation is astounded with the generosity of the Citizens and Businesses of Nanaimo we have collectively built a world class bike park in tribute of Steve."

Michelle Corfield

Director

Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation

"This park is a wonderful example of community partnerships. Everyone involved worked very well together and contributed to making this park a reality in many different ways. With the support of the Gyro Club, Dana Butcher of Nanaimo BMX and I were able to get the project started and it really gained traction with the addition of the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation. Naming the park after Steve is fitting as his philosophy was to encourage and train young riders to be their best, this fits with the Gyro Club's mission since 1922 to build facilities to empower youth. We are so excited to see all the efforts pay off."

Jim Thompson

Project Facilitator

Gyro Club of Nanaimo

Images

Videos

Contact:

Richard Harding

Director, Parks and Recreation

City of Nanaimo

250-755-7516

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