THE excitement level might not yet have peaked at the new Gisborne pump track, which officially opened yesterday afternoon at 3pm, but a crowd of up to 100 turned out to break in the new track and test their wheels on it.
Yesterday's party atmosphere included free pizzas, chalk for the kids to decorate the ground, bike accessory giveaways and free bike servicing — checking the suspension was good to go and enough air was in the tyres.
The project has been a joint effort by many, driven by the Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust who leased the land in Alfred Cox Park from Gisborne District Council and funded the project to the tune of $596,000, with the the help of major funding of $2.88 million from Trust Tairawhiti.
The money was secured from New Zealand Lotteries, Velosolutions designed the track and Currie Construction came on board for the build.
A crowd of adults and children on wheels, including skateboards, mountain bikes and BMX bikes, was unleashed on what the trust has described as the world-class facility capable of hosting national and international events.
District councillor Larry Foster was there yesterday to inspect the track. He was bowled over by its quality and the potential it holds for Gisborne.
“The pump track is awesome,” he said. “The Adventure Trust has done a fantastic thing for the whole community by building this. It's going to make this whole area perfect for everybody — from the young people to the adults who want to use it.
It lends itself to the whole vision of Grey Street — the river to the sea. The whole boulevard here has got so much potential for other outdoor activities.
“This will certainly be great for the future. Everything's free and everything's really starting to fit in.”
The 260-metre asphalt cycle track is open to riders on all kinds of wheels, but scooter riders are asked to stay off for another week for the asphalt to harden.
Because of the track's quality, organisers are anticipating national and international events to come knocking on Gisborne's door.
Multiple BMX world champion Jessie Smith grew up in Gisborne and was delighted to be back here yesterday for the opening.
“Pretty much anyone can ride it. All you need is a helmet and a good attitude,” she said. “It's not just for kids, it's for adults as well. Anyone can have a go.
“This is something that's massive for our BMXers, also for our wider community, our tamariki who don't have opportunities and who can't get out of Gizzy. Now there's a world-class facility here.
“It's definitely going to bring in people from around the world because this facility is one of the better ones that I've seen in a long time. A huge shout out to Velosolutions for getting it done. Thanks for making it happen.”
Jessie has been off the bike lately following knee surgery but she thanked everyone for going down and said she would ride the track as soon as she could.
“I'm encouraging everyone to get on the bike or a scooter or a skateboard.
“Just get a little bit of confidence in you and you'll be off.”
At 3pm the new crossing linking the pump track with the skate park was activated. That has been a joint effort by the district council and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
So for now, the pump track is a place to keep up your skills and fitness on wheels, develop younger riders and stretch those who already have the fundamentals.
“Gizzy's really on a roll,” said Cr Foster. “We'll be pumping with the pump track.”