HomePage / Your Government / News & Events / Jumps, bumps and berms. New Marie Davidson BMX Track is ready, set, go!

Jumps, bumps and berms. New Marie Davidson BMX Track is ready, set, go!

4,000 square metre track at Beban opens for both amateur and pro BMX racers.

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 20, 2024 10:00 AM

Summary

With about 4,000 square metres of new track surface, the renewed Marie Davidson BMX Track is open for casual day use. The new track replaces the Marie Davidson BMX Track (2,800 square metres) and together with the Steve Smith Bike Park, including the pump track and the Mountain Bike Skills Park, further establishes Nanaimo and Beban Park as an exciting cycling destination.

The new jumps, bumps and berms (banked corners) were shaped and constructed by Olympic BMX track builder Tom Ritz Design to create a fun, fast and competitive BMX racing experience.

The track has a recycled concrete and asphalt foundation, sealed with a dust suppressant and soil stabilizer; this approach makes Nanaimo's track the only one on Vancouver Island and one of only a few in Canada that will be usable year-round. Improvements also include a five-metre start hill with a new hydraulic start gate and compressor (due to be installed in the spring). A secondary start hill has been added for beginners, as well as an official’s platform at the top of the start hill. There are both amateur and professional straights. Electrical services have also been installed for future track lighting.

Nearly $1.5 million of the $1.9 million budget for the Marie Davidson BMX Track renewal has been provided by the Canada Community-Building Fund, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities through the Community Works Fund stream. As well, $330,000 has come from the Province of BC’s Growing Communities Fund and $50,000 has been contributed by the Nanaimo BMX Association.

The BMX track is located at 2001 Labieux Road. While the track is open now for casual and club use, it won't be bookable for competitions until the spring when the start gate is installed. A formal opening celebration will follow in 2025, and Nanaimo will host the Harbour City Nationals (part of BMX Canada's 2025 National Series) on the new track in July.

Link to Strategic Plan: Enhancing parks and open spaces supports Council's commitment to a livable Nanaimo.

Key Points

  • The renewed Marie Davidson BMX Track nearly doubles the track length in this 4,000 square metre facility, and it's now open for casual use. A formal opening event will be held in the spring once the new hydraulic start gate has been installed.
  • The track has a recycled concrete and asphalt foundation and is sealed with a soil stabilizer. It includes a five-metre start hill with a new hydraulic start gate and compressor (coming in the spring), a secondary start hill for beginners, as well as an official’s platform at the top of the start hill. It's designed for both beginners and professional riders and can be used year-round.
  • Nearly $1.5 million of the $1.9 million budget for the Marie Davidson BMX Track renewal has been provided by the Canada Community-Building Fund, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities through the Community Works Fund stream. As well, $330,000 has come from the Province of BC’s Growing Communities Fund and $50,000 has been contributed by the Nanaimo BMX Association.
  • Nanaimo will host the Harbour City Nationals (part of BMX Canada's 2025 National Series) on the new track in July.

Quotes

"These new tracks are a welcome addition for the people of Nanaimo, helping both casual and competitive bikers explore their hobby in their community. It’s great to see all orders of government coming together to make public places safer to use for everyone. Our government will continue to support projects like this that lead to strong and healthy B.C. communities."

Ravi Kahlon
Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs
Province of BC

"It's time to tune that bike, practice those tailtaps, and learn to ride the rhythm section. Nanaimo is quickly becoming one of the best places in Canada for cycling adventure and competition, and the renewed Marie Davidson BMX Track will encourage athleticism, personal achievement and even family time."

Leonard Krog
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • As a federal funding source, the Canada Community-Building Fund provides over $2.4 billion to over 3700 communities to support local infrastructure across Canada. In BC, funding is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and is provided to communities twice a year. Municipalities can strategically invest funds across 19 eligible project categories to address local priorities.

Images

Council tours the new track on a rainy day
Council tours the new track on a rainy day
Mayor & Council, City staff, Milner Group, Nan BMX
Mayor & Council, City staff, Milner Group, Nan BMX
-30-

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact
Communications
City of Nanaimo
250-754-4251

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.
Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.