Things took off Thursday as dozens of young riders traversed the slopes of Revelstoke's brand-new pump track, catching serious air as the community celebrated an amenity that's been in the city's plans since 2022.
Faces young and old from the cycling community, along with City of Revelstoke representatives, gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Centennial Park bike park at noon July 3, not even 12 weeks after April 14.
Funded in part by the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation and B.C. government's Resort Municipality Initiative program, the facility includes a smooth-flowing beginner track, intermediate track with varied rollers and berms, and high-adrenaline advanced jump line.
Asphalt pump tracks are designed and built around the world by Velosolutions, a Switzerland-based company with branches in 30 other countries, to allow riders of all levels to propel themselves with their own momentum while improving speed, balance and skill.
"Bike parks and pump tracks are popular amenities, especially in mountain-biking communities," reads Revelstoke's 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which sought to follow other similar-size communities such as Whistler, Fernie, Trail, Merritt and Smithers that already have these.
The City of Revelstoke contracted Velosolutions to design and build the Centennial Park pump track for $765,400 before taxes. Construction took eight weeks to transform a parcel of park land that borders Downie Timber and Begbie View Elementary School and was previously used by the city for storing shale and mulch.
"They were absolutely amazing to work with," said Laurie Donato, Revelstoke's director of parks, recreation and culture, referring to Velosolutions.
According to Donato, after several years of planning for the pump track, she pushed Velosolutions to start building it this spring when she learned the company had an opening for construction. Its intent was to complete the project in 2026, but Donato wanted to maximize the pump track's use by the community.
鈥淭he pump track is a great addition to Centennial Park, offering a fun and engaging space where kids, teens, and adults alike can enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and connect with others," she said in a release this June. "The project not only enhances recreational opportunities in Revelstoke but also promotes healthy lifestyles and skill development.鈥�
Velosolutions' Canada West branch director, Amadeo Gadotti, told Black Press Media the company has built more than 400 pump tracks and other bike parks worldwide since it launched in 2012. These can be built within as fast as three or four weeks.
The Canada West branch formed in 2020, and Gadotti said Velosolutions is now pumping out about 10 facilities a year internationally. Revelstoke's bike park, though, stands out, he said.
"This is a pretty big site," Gadotti said. "There's more kids' track for the small ones, and the big track has an extensive jump line. I think we only have four or five tracks that have that kind of jump line."
Gadotti added that Velosolutions is also responsible for bike parks in other B.C. communities such as Pemberton and Gitanmaax. Next week, he'll witness another opening for the company's new bike park in Rocky Mountain House, Alta.
However, having driven six hours east from Pemberton to attend Revelstoke's ceremony Thursday, Gadotti was especially pleased to see the turnout and excitement for the city's newest amenity.
"Sometimes they don't do the big opening, but it's pretty amazing to see all the community here."
Revelstoke's pump track is available for all ages daily, from dawn until dusk.