A “dream build” bike park which has just opened in Inverness is already attracting keen cyclists from across the north.
In a labour of love completed by volunteers, the Highland Skate Parks Association (HSPA) has opened a £345,000, 330-yard “pump track” near Bught Park.
It is aimed at BMX and mountain bike riders – and attracting both in their droves despite only opening on Saturday.
The track has been designed by Velosolutions and built by Architrail, the UK’s leading bike park construction company, and is the first outdoor track of its kind in the UK.
It is located beside the existing skate park which was built on top of an old BMX track which had fallen into disrepair.
The new £345,000 complex also consists of a beginner’s loop, shelter and storage and anyone wanting to ride on it at night can switch on the floodlights until 10pm.
HSPA chairman Allan Carson said that he was down at the track over the weekend and met people who had come from Elgin, Nairn and Aviemore to use it.
Mr Carson said: “A pump track is something that is growing in popularity over the years because it’s recognised that not everywhere can have a full-sized BMX track, but these pump tracks can be built to enable people to increase their skill level on a bike.
“The beginners track is also a really fun and fast little loop and is a pathway to the bigger track.”
Mr Carson added: “We are really pleased that the new bike park is to be finally open, and available to the public. It’s taken very few volunteers many years to realise this dream build. We have already received an enormous amount of interest in the facility, it has created lots of excitement across social media.
“We are already adding special events, including local and national series events to our 2017 calendar for the park. I think locally this satisfies the need that was created when the old BMX Bears track fell into disrepair, and finally was lost to home the skate park. There are very exciting times ahead for Inverness’s new wheeled sports hub.”
Funding for the new facility was as follows: £100,000 from sportscotland, £47,000 from Viridor landfill trust, £50,000 from WREN (a not-for-profit business), £30,000 from Inverness common good fund, £13,000 from the Scottish landfill fund and £80,000 and £25,000 from two anonymous charitable trusts.
