ST. (ATHARINES BMX ASSOCIATION October 2013 Prepared by: Angela Vani eyes4u23@hotmail.com 905-685-8830
OBJECTIVE Reach as many youths as possible and provide ''positive" alternatives which allow for individual and family growth through the sport of Bicycle Motocross (BMX) racing in the Niagara Region. PROPOSAL We wish to propose the construction of a BMX racing track in the City of St. Catharines. This community is an ideal setting for a BMX track because it is central to the region and easy access for visitors, and has a potential of 29,000 potential participants under the age of 19 from within the region. With this strong demographic and being embedded in the community, we believe that a BMX track will be highly successful with kids of all ages. The track would exist as a non-fee use facility open for all public users during daylight hours, with the exception of organised and sanctioned club events. The track would operate organized events twice weekly, which is typical for most BMX tracks across North America; which would include one (1) race event and one (1) practice. There may also be some larger events which would occur on the weekend (Friday-Sunday) which attract families and riders from all across Ontario, Quebec, and United States, thus increasing revenues for local businesses. BACKGROUND The sport of bicycle motocross (BMX) racing was invented in the 70's by young kids who were imitating their motocross idols. This sport provides people of all ages a positive activity, which promotes competition and good sportsmanship. BMX, by its very nature is an individual sport which involves the entire family. There is no other organized sport which each and every family member; boys, girls, mothers, fathers, can compete at the same event on the same track. It is truly a family activity. The Ottawa BMX Association currently has members ranging in age from 2 Yz to 60 years old. In BMX "No One Sits on the Bench". Riders compete not only by age but also by proficiency. This allows participants to race others who are of similar age and skill level. The growth of the sport has been phenomenal since BMX racing became an official Olympic event in 2008. It will be showcased at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sport is non-polluting, builds health, coordination and character. It can be as competitive or non-competitive as the individual wants to make it. It is an individual (as opposed to team) sport that offers many lessons which can be applied directly to adult life in our competitive society. There are currently 7 Sanctioned tracks in the Ontario Region in the communities Kingston, Gananoque, Ottawa, Napean, Port Elgin, Milton and Chatham. With further track additions in Belleville, Embrun, and London. These tracks are providing BMX racers with exceptional opportunities to learn and compete.
Milton BMX is sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association (ABA), which is the world's largest BMX sanctioning body with over 370 tracks and over 70,000 active members in the U.S. and Canada. The OBA has been successfully operating a BMX track at the Milton Track for over 20 years. They have seen our membership grow significantly over the past year. The growth of USA BMX has been impressive, especially in the past several years. In fact, since 1996, USA BMX has doubled in the number of members and the number of sanctioned tracks across North America. This growth is due to the foundation that USA BMX lay over 25 years ago. This foundation of programs and philosophies is still the same today with only a few modifications to meet the needs of a changing society LOCATION In order to create a proper BMX track, we would require land size of approximately 150 feet by 300 feet. We have conducted an informal search and have identified a few potential sites, however we would certainly consider other sites the City may suggest. Option 1 - Joseph Mccaffery Park (61 Vansickle Rd, South End) The South End of the park is approx. 4.5 Acres adjacent to the baseball diamonds. This is our preferred option since this is an accessible location to the Community and easily accessible by bicycle, transit. This area is already zone permitting recreational use. It is a similar park layout arrange to that of Kingston, Gananoque, Napean, Milton, where their bmx track blends in with other aspects of the recreational park. Option 2 - Rotary Park, 395 Pelham Road This large area of land is a good alternative with open areas, adjacent to hiking and cycling trails and accessible by bicycle and transit. This area is already zone permitting recreational use. Option 3-9 Cushman Road (Dieppe/Cushman) This is an undeveloped and unserviced segment of land in the shadows of the Garden City Skyway, su rrounded by MTO and commercial land. Walking distance to public transit. Option 4 - Pie Lesson Park, 165 Rockwood Avenue/120 This segment of land is already utilized as a recreational park, and would require major reconfiguration of the existing recreational plan. It is within walking distance to bus routes. Option 5-132 Cushman Road (Commercial land )
This plot ofland is undeveloped and unserviced in the center ofthe North end commercial area, is not close to bus routes. COSTS Like with any sports facility, there are always upfront costs. Below is a list of items and the estimated one-time costs to create a track which is both safe and race ready. The club will make every effort to reduce these costs where possible by working with local businesses, suppliers, attracting sponsors, hosting fundraising events and purchasing used products. Necessary to construct Public Use facility - $15,500 DIRT: $6,000 (potential to receive dirt at no charge) SITE PREPARATION: $2,000 TRACK BUILDING $1,500 (BMX USA will build first track, No charge) WATER ON-SITE: $2,000 USED METAL STORAGE CONTAINER: $3,000 TOOLS: $1,000 Necessary to conduct sanctioned races - $4,900 STARTING GATE: $2,000 STARTING GATE CONTROL: $700 STARTING LIGHTS: $200 PNEUMATIC RELEASE MECHANISM: $800 AIR COMPRESSOR: $300 ANNOUNCING SYSTEM: $500 LAPTOP and PRINTER: $400 Premium Facility capable of hosing Provincial and National caliber Events - $37,800 ASHPHALT: $5,000 ELECTRICITY ON-SITE: $1,000 SECURITY LIGHTING: $300 Bleacher system $5,000 Administration buifding/concession $2,000 FENCING AROUND TRACK: $24,500 NEXT STEPS
1. City of St. Catharines to identify and approve an appropriate site to construct a BMX track. 2. Establish St. Catharines BMX Association, Not-for-Profit Incorporation. 3. Create an Executive Committee 4. Communication/ Approval to adjoining land owners (Horizon Utilities, MTO, etc.) 5. Notification of City approvals to the American Bicycling Associatoin, ABA (BMX USA sanctioning body) With City approvals, BMX Association in place, we would seek approval from the ABA to join their association. 6. Funding In order to begin track construction and be successful in attracting riders for the 2014 season, the St. Catharines BMX Association will seek one-time financial support from available grants (Municipal and/provincial), local businesses and sponsors for the expenses noted above. Once the track is operating with a compliment of members, the annual membership fees and fundraising events will provide sufficient funding to maintain the track. The club and track will be financially self-sustaining, and will not require any on-going funding from the City of St. Catharines for future years. 7. Marketing The St. Catharines Association will attract new members through various methods: I. Host open house events at local Community Centres. II. Post flyers in local bicycle shops; Ill. Post event notices on free local websites; Social Media IV. Local newspapers 8. Construction of the track (April 2014, weather permitting} 9. Olympic Day Races/Open House - July 2014
SAMPLE BMX TRACK LAYOUTS