The new pump track at Bell Block was being well-used just minutes after it opened on Friday morning.
The $256,000 track at the Taranaki Cycle Park replaced the old dirt track that needed constant maintenance.
Most of the funding came from the Lotteries Communities Facilities Fund, NZCT and Toi Foundation.
Velosolutions New Zealand owner/director Craig Pattle, whose Rotorua-based company built the track, said it took about six weeks to complete.
“We had superb luck with the weather. We only had a couple of days of rain.”
The biggest track Pattle had built was a 2600 square metre track in Christchurch, while this one was 1000 square metres in area, and 130 metres around.
The track is made from asphalt, which means it can be used in the rain, he said.
“Scooters, bikes, skateboards, anything with wheels. The best part is seeing the kids enjoy it.”
When they were laying the asphalt a “good crew” of locals came out and helped, he said.
Taranaki Cycle Park Trust chairperson Wayne Silby said the track catered for all riders, including little children.
“This is our third major development. The first step was the velodrome and the closed road circuit.”
The second stage was the kids’ junior mini road circuit with traffic lights and roundabouts.
And a new feature at the park is a cross-country Cyclocross Track.
The cycle park gets around 4000 people through the gate a month.
Article by Stuff.co.nz
