The much anticipated facility will eventually be home to five cycling disciplines: velodrome, BMX, criterium, kermesse and mountain biking.

“The Bathurst Bike Park will ultimately be a significant facility in Bathurst that will attract people from all across NSW and the country,” mayor Gary Rush said yesterday.

 He was joined at the site by fellow councillors Ian North and Greg Westman to inspect the progress of the new clubhouse and amenities block. 

“We are tracking ahead of schedule and anticipate that this structure will be finished toward the end of May, just in time for our round of the Evocities MTB [mountain bike] Series,” he said.

The new $350,000 clubhouse will include a canteen, storage facilities, change rooms and club rooms.

The bike park has been a labour of love for councillors North and Westman for the best part of a decade.

“Cycling in Bathurst has a long and proud history,” Cr North said. 

“And this project goes back eight or nine years when cycling groups across the city got together and decided to look at the bigger picture.

“We found the land, got a plan and then chased the dollars.

“The track has been completed, but we couldn’t actually stage an event until we had a clubhouse.”

Cr Westman believes the new facility will bring many benefits to the city.

“Not only will the BBP bring a range of cycling events to town, it will help us develop our local riding and officiating talent,” he said. 

“The facility is unique throughout Australia; nowhere else is there a venue that houses five disciplines of cycling.”