A locator map showing site of the Pump Track. Main image courtesy Google Earth.
The main construction of the Pump Track is now complete and ready for some fast fun on two wheels.
It’s the first phase of the Rotary Mike Haener Bike Park, a free admission community facility conceived by the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club, with the Rotary Club of Yellowknife being a major sponsor.
Some of the first bikers enjoy the Pump Track this week.
Volunteers from both organizations have been providing volunteers for work parties to assist the contractor in building the track, located at the Bristol Pits on Old Airport Road.
The Bike Park will be constructed in phases, with the first part being the $150,000 Pump Track that still has some finishing work to be done to it.
For those who don’t know, a Pump Track is a loop that has different features, such as ups and downs and turns that facilitates mountain biking. It has features that facilitate the increase of bike handling skills for everyone.
Earlier this year, the Mountain Bike Club received approval from City Council to proceed with the project. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation were consulted on the project and have given it a green light.
In 2018 the Rotary Club of Yellowknife became a supporter of the project and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club and made a substantial contribution of $50,000 towards the project.
In 2019 the Haener family made a contribution of $7,000 to the project through Rotary in memory of Rotarian Mike Haener. Haener was a major contributor to the community and a backbone of the services provided by the Rotary Club.
The Whistler Mountain Bike club raised over $8,000 towards the project in 2019 on the Ride of Your Life bike trek from Whistler to Yellowknife.
Other project funding has been raised by the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club.
So enjoy the new facility in a safe fashion. Please wear a helmet and consider using other safety gear. Be aware of those around you. And please stay off of the gravel edges of the asphalt track to avoid erosion.
The pump track one week ago.
Story, map and bottom image by James O'Connor / Top photo courtesy Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club