VOTE for a new BMX pump track at Steven Burke Sports Hub, Pendle

“There’s just a few days to go to vote for funding for a new BMX pump track for Pendle,” said Peter Boast of Cycle Sport Pendle.

The deadline for voting is Friday 18 November.

Working with Pendle Council and other organisations, the bid is for funding of between £10,000 and £25,000 from the AVIVA Community Fund.

Peter said:

“If you like cycling, have kids who’d like to give it a go, or just want to see a great new facility for Pendle, please vote!”

If successful, it’ll be at the Steven Burke Sports Hub near the new cycle track and between Swinden and Bullholme,  close to Barrowford, Nelson and Colne and accessible from Foulridge and West Craven via the canal towpath.

“You can vote up to 10 times and the more votes we get the better chance we have,” said Peter.

People can vote via this link:
 https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/vot…/project/view/16-1342 or visit the AVIVA Community Fund website and search for the Pendle BMX project using the words Cycle Sport Pendle.

“Over 1,500 votes have been cast for the BMX track – let’s see if we can double it in the remaining few days,” said Manawar Bashah of the Pendle BMX Group.

The Group has been campaigning for the track for over two years.
“A pump track is the kind of facility that appeals to young people.  They are drawn to it because it’s fun and exhilarating to ride,” added Manawar.

Pendle’s double Olympic gold medallist Steven Burke track has endorsed the plans which will be an important part of the Sports Hub and cycle track named in his honour.

“A new pump track would give cyclists the skills to either concentrate on off-road riding or, like Steven Burke, move to velodrome cycling or road racing,” Manawar explained.
Steven Burke said:

“The plans are really exciting and I am looking forward to the prospect of having a go on the pump track.

“It’s something I have never done but I know would have found great fun when I was starting out.”

If successful, the state of the art facility will include a starting mound and beams and jumps along 240 metres of track.

Pendle’s leader for cycling, Councillor Nawaz Ahmed, said:

“We’re supporting this all the way in a bid to create a high quality BMX and mountain bike pump track.

“It’ll be a superb addition to the Steven Burke Sports Hub for Pendle people of all ages and abilities to enjoy healthy exercise in safety, away from roads,” he said.

The last few days of voting coincides with the news that Cycle Sport Pendle has been awarded a grant of almost £10,000 from the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group’s Prescription for Well-being.

“The grant is very welcome and brings the BMX track a stage closer,” said Peter Boast.

“The money will pay for 10 new BMX bikes, some alterations to the existing track to enable BMX sessions to take place in the meantime and the training of about 10 coaches,”  he explained.

 “Pendle is on the map as a great place for cycling and this gives us a new facility for a different kind of bike riding.

Manawar added:

“It will attract visitors who’ll want to come to BMX competitions and for training as the nearest BMX facility is in Preston, so a high quality track in Pendle would be fantastic!”
ends