The Bradshaw family from Illawong can't wait to make the most of a new BMX track finally being built in the Sutherland Shire.
The Sutherland Shire Council has announced it will pump $250,000 into building a new BMX “Pump Track” at Barden Ridge, on Recreation Drive near the sports complex.
The track will be the first facility of its kind in the shire and is planned for completion by Christmas.
The Bradshaw family currently drive long distances most days to use BMX facilities near Sydney Olympic Park or even Penrith.
“This will make things a hell of a lot easier,” father Brendan Bradshaw said.
“There are a lot of parents around the Sutherland Shire, especially from our club [in Homebush], that have to travel a long way to practise and race.”
Brendan’s three children all enjoy riding Milan, 8, Harley, 6, and Wynter, 3.
“They will be stoked. We will be there literally every day when it opens.”
Brendan said when his son Harley took up the sport a few years ago, BMX turned into something of a family activity.
He said he knew of other families who also wanted to get into the sport but the travel was a barrier.
While the new facility will be long overdue it has already drawn criticism on Facebook from those that believe it is a significant downgrade on options the council had previously considered.
Jarad Stirling posted: “Great family the Bradshaw's. Shame the council is only building a pump track and not following through on their vision for a BMX Park/facility. Unfortunately will still have to travel outside the shire to train and race. Sutherland Shire Council could have done considerably more with the $200,000 State Government Grant and $700,000 council allocated in 2015 towards the BMX Park (which is now only a pump track). Shire residents miss out again”.
Leigh Brown posted: “The downgrading of the proposed proper track and club facilities to a mere pump track is very disappointing. BMX is an Olympic sport and we have local kids that are already on the way to competing on the world stage and we are completely neglecting them.”
“This is pathetic. From a full competition track with clubhouse to a PUMP TRACK? You've got to be kidding. What a waste of time,” wrote Kieren Brown.