IF there were any lingering doubts about the decision to build a world standard $1.5 million BMX track in Bathurst, they must surely have been answered now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This morning’s announcement that Bathurst has been selected to become the first Australian city to host a round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup is not only a boost for the sport in the city, but also acknowledgment of Bathurst’s ability to host major events.
When the world’s best men and women BMX riders come here in 2020 to contest a round of the World Cup, the event will also serve as a qualifier for Australian riders aiming to make the team for the Tokyo Olympics that same year.
And none of it could have happened if Bathurst Regional Council did not bite the bullet back in 2015 and decide to bid for the rights to host Australia’s national BMX titles in 2016.
At the time of the bid, the new track was still on the drawing board and it was only winning hosting rights that provided the impetus to get it built.
It was an extraordinary vote of confidence in Bathurst by Australia’s BMX hierarchy, and an extraordinary show of bravado by the council of the day.
Now, however, the gamble is paying real dividends – and the whole community will be the winners.
In recent years our council has unashamedly pursued a policy of heavy investment in local sporting infrastructure that has, at times, drawn criticism from other sectors of the community.
But the sports spending has never been solely focused on improving facilities for local participants, though they have clearly greatly benefited.
More importantly, the policy has been focused on bringing regional, state, national and even international competitions to town, along with thousands of new visitors every year.
By growing the visitor economy, council has helped grow the broader economy, and that has benefited every sector.
In just the past few years council has invested in upgraded facilities for cycling, harness racing, rugby league, rugby union and BMX, with a new go kart track, new tennis clubhouse and upgraded Australian rules and cricket infrastructure on the drawing board.
It’s a record no other regional city could come close to matching.