Bexhill’s new BMX race track, jump park, and skatepark is now open to the public and is already a huge hit with residents. The park officially opened to the public on Saturday, 11th June with a community event which featured demonstrations, open access sessions, music and competitions with prizes up for grabs.
Active Rother is delighted to be a part of this project working with partners and the community to encourage more people to be active more often. This includes having an “active rec” open for the community to enjoy outdoor spaces, and also supporting the training of volunteers to become coaches, which will support use of the facilities.
At a special ribbon cutting ceremony Cllr Kathy Harmer, Chair of Rother District Council, officially declared the new BMX and skatepark open.
Cllr Harmer was joined by the leader of Rother District Council, Cllr Doug Oliver, the lead council member for Communities, Culture, Tourism, Sport and Leisure, Cllr Hazel Timpe, and councillors from Sidley and St. Stephens wards, as well as members of the Bexhill Skatepark Action Group and JumpClub, the Bexhill BMX club.
Cllr Timpe said: “I am delighted this fabulous new community facility is now officially open.
“This incredible BMX and skate park gives our younger residents and visitors the chance to use one of the best facilities in the region.
“I hope the completion of this ambitious project will also open up opportunities for local children and young people to try new activities in an environment where they feel safe and supported.”
The park was constructed by Trinity Civil Engineering in conjunction with specialist BMX track designers Forte Trailscapes and skate park engineers Canvas Spaces. The local skateboarding and BMX communities were also actively involved in the park’s design.
The skatepark features a mix of street and transition elements including quarter pipes, grind ledges and rails, and granite kerbs, and can be used by scooters, in-line skaters and BMX bikes as well as skateboards.
Luke Barningham of the Bexhill Skatepark Action Group said: “’It’s been a long seven years of campaigning, but we couldn’t be happier with our end result.”
The six-rider dirt BMX race track features tarmac berms, a modern start gate for race situations and a split second straight offering advanced riders the option of a more challenging ride.
The dirt jump park has an advanced pro-line for competent riders and other lines with a variety of jumps to challenge most riders.
The Bexhill BMX Club said: “The new Bexhill Jump Park is such an amazing state of the art BMX facility. There is a thriving local BMX scene and our aim is to help grow it.
“The facilities will continue to be open and free to use for the majority of time. In addition, the club will continue to build on our current coaching and activity programme. We’re here to help new beginners gain confidence. These modern facilities, supported by the club activities, will enable any local rider to reach their potential in this Olympic discipline. The club are here to help, we are really good at helping beginners.
“Our growing number of club helpers will be looking after the place, carrying out regular maintenance and helping to make the area a positive place for families. The floodlights will bring the facilities to life when the evenings get darker.
“The riders and helpers at the newly named ‘Bexhill Jump Park’, would like to thank the funders and local residents for their support.”
More information about the BMX track and skatepark can be found at www.rother.gov.uk/bexhillbmxandskatepark.