Campaign to bring back Paignton BMX track

Repairs to former flagship track will cost £80,000

A £20,000 crowdfunding campaign could bring a crumbling Paignton sports arena back to life.

The BMX bike track at Parkfield was built in 2011 with facilities that made it one of the best in the country. It opened with spectacular race days attracting 1,400 riders of all ages, but has since fallen into disrepair.

Now unusable, weeds are growing through the surface and it has deep pools of water on the track that make it unsafe. It currently has no toilets or changing facilities.

“It’s time it was brought back into use,” said Mark Turner of the People’s Parkfield community interest company. “Paignton deserves to have its track back.”

The track was constructed as part of a spectacular £6 million ‘MyPlace’ development which also included the New Parkfield community hub building with sports hall, climbing wall and skatepark.

That building is home to an education service for children who are unable to access mainstream education, but it is at the centre of a community campaign to bring it back into wider use.

The MyPlace initiative was funded by the National Lottery and administered by the government, with Torbay Council submitting the successful bid.

The People’s Parkfield CIC holds a 40-year lease on the older Parkfield House near the seafront and its grounds, including the bike racing track.

“The track needs significant repairs before it can be considered safe to be opened and used again,” said Mr Turner. “Torbay BMX Club worked really hard with limited resources to keep the track fit for use for as long as they could, but it has reached the point where they can’t use it at the moment.

“The total cost of the repairs will be around £80,000, and we are seeking funding from various sources, including this crowdfunding campaign.

“Every penny we raise will be spent on track improvements, maintenance, and security.  We are aiming to replace external fencing, repair all areas of the track including the starting hill, and eventually improve track lighting.

“Toilet and changing facilities would allow school groups to use the track during the day, and they will also encourage more females and young riders to the sport and to Torbay BMX Club.”

The club has members ranging in age from five to 60.

“With the track back in action, having people using the Parkfield estate will give young people something positive to do,” said Mr Turner. “A busy community facility will ensure that the area is kept clean and safe, helping to resolve anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping the area has attracted over the years.”

The CIC is hoping that people will set up their own events to raise funds for the track as well as supporting the crowdfunding campaign.

More details are at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/peoplesparkfieldbmxtrack