Community Project: Team Step 2
March/06/19
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Another Link in the Chain: Skills Park is on deck as a new addition to the Steve Smith Bike Park
Since the August 2017 completion of the Dirt Jump and Pump Track, the Steve Smith Memorial Bike Park has been a hive of activity for bike enthusiasts on Vancouver Island. It’s a world-class venue, hosting both national and international biking events, yet free to use for everyone.
The bike park was named after Stevie Smith (Chainsaw) who was raised locally and rose to become one of the world’s best downhill mountain bike racers. Stevie was determined to see more local riders given the opportunity to enjoy the sport and achieve similar success by providing the training grounds for future champions.
Unfortunately, in 2016, a tragic accident took Stevie’s life. The Steve Smith Legacy Foundation (SSLF) was soon created to carry on his dream and the construction of the bike park gained momentum. However, the park is not complete. Due to time and funding, two phases of this project were not completed: lighting for the dirt jump and pump track, and a skills park.
The Skills Park is now on deck! A Community Project team, sponsored by Leadership Vancouver Island (LVI), along with the SSLF and the City of Nanaimo, is in the planning stages to expand the existing park for the addition of the skills park. The plan is to incorporate beginner and intermediate obstacles into the existing natural surroundings similar to these skills parks.
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Photo Credits: Photo 1-Courtesy of www.picswe.com
Photo 2 and 3-Copyright of Hoots INC N. Vancouver BC. All Rights Reserved
The LVI team, working in conjunction with the City of Nanaimo, is set to start work immediately on the approved portion of Beban Park, adjacent to the completed sections of the Steve Smith Memorial Bike Park, and the off-leash Dog Park and Labieux Road.
“The Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation is honoured to partner with Leadership Vancouver Island, to see the last stage in the Stevie Smith Bike Park come to fruition,” says Michelle Corfield of SSLF. “The completion of the skills park is an essential element to the bike park as it will enable riders of all skill levels to increase their abilities and further their self-confidence.”
LVI is a community-focused leadership development program that builds upon the aptitudes of emerging leaders while demonstrating the power of collaboration to create long-term positive change.
With a proposed completion date of August 2019, the new skills park will complement the Dirt Jump and Pump Track, and allow a broader range of users to increase their off-road biking skills in a safe and controlled manner. It will provide an opportunity to practice techniques as well as hone skills before moving on to more challenging mountain trails.
The new skills park will be another link in the chain to achieving Stevie’s Smith dream.
For more Info please contact:
Leadership Vancouver Island
Kyle Riley
kriley@heroldengineering.com
Steve Smith Legacy Foundation
Michelle Corfield
michellecorfield@shaw.ca
https://www.facebook.com/Stevie-Smith-101288309914913/