Each year, Bob McWhinnie Day, celebrates the skate and bike park that the former city councillor helped to build, and raises some funds for park improvements.
This year, the decision has been made to spend some of those funds on a pump track, says Alex Buterman, who runs McWhinnie Day.
A pump track is the newest thing in bike tracks, Buterman says.
“It’s a dirt track, usable for all skill levels. It features smooth rollers and no gaps. You learn to pump the bike over depressions. I think we stand to make some pretty good riders.
“These pumps tracks are a real draw. They are a neat aspect of biking.”
Operating on a shoestring budget, plans have been purchased and about 200 yards of dirt has been dumped near the track location (just south of the existing bike park.
“There is a science to it so everything is properly spaced,” he said.
What Buterman is looking for now is some community support.
Some in-kind help has been promised but what is needed right now is drain rock.
“If anyone has any ideas, or maybe has access to a dump truck, get in touch with me. We also need hands on deck when we start building in October.”
In the future, Buterman would like to see more work done on the existing bike park as well.
“The existing one is pretty severe. I’d like to see different lines — green, blue, double black diamond.”
That’s in the future, as is the potential for a covered stage area at the park.
Right now, the focus is on getting the drain rock and packing the dirt for the pump track.
You can contact Buterman at lxelectric@hotmail.com if you can help out.