In 1989, the Kinsmen requested permission to convert some of their leased grounds into a BMX track within Beban Park. Permission was granted and the track opened in 1991 on the former logger sports area, which today is known as the Marie Davidson BMX Park. Since 1991, the Nanaimo BMX Association, a non-profit society, has held a lease agreement with the City of Nanaimo and continues to operate and maintain the track and surrounding site. The track is well utilized and open to the public year round except during club practices and race days. The club operates under the umbrella of the BMX Canada sanctioning body and current membership is approximately 350 riders who live in the mid-island area.
The Nanaimo BMX Association executive committee has always highlighted safety as their top priority for all users of the facility. Many of the components within the track are original and require replacement or remediation to ensure safe operation and function. The association has been working hard to identify these issues and determining a course of action to continue to provide safe, competitive and fun BMX riding for their club and the broader community.
In April of 2019 the Nanaimo BMX Association met with Parks and Recreation Staff to begin collaboration on a facility redevelopment project of the Marie Davidson BMX Park. Since that time the association has acquired the services of an International consulting firm that specializes in action sport facilities. Action Sports Design LLC and the Nanaimo BMX Association has developed a conceptual design that will meet the current and future needs of the club and Nanaimo citizens.
The Nanaimo BMX Association is now at a point to solidify a strong partnership with the City of Nanaimo in order to progress the project from conceptual design through to final detailed design. On October 28th, 2019, Nanaimo BMX presented to council at a Committee of the Whole meeting to introduce the club and the vision of this potential infrastructure upgrade project. Following the presentation a motion was supported to have staff provide a report back to council.