8.3.B. PRSR 09-13-2006ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: September 13, 2006
SUBJECT: BMX Track Improvements Request
Attached please find a letter and "wish list" form the BMX group regarding the BMX track
at the Youth Athletic Complex. Staff met at the track with this group and discussed
improvements, both aesthetic and functional to the track area. The commission is requested
to consider this "wish list", and prioritize the items in preparation fox developing the 2007
park capital improvement budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
Letter from BMX Group
September 5, 2006
Elk River Park Board
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Elk River BMX (an abbreviation for bicycle motocross) is anon-profit track run primarily on volunteer help. We are
funded entirely by donations and income generated from paid practices, races, and concessions. BMX is a form of
cycling on bikes sanctioned by the ABA (American Bicycle Association). It is a consistent struggle to get enough
people involved to make it a success. Track maintenance is the most difficult task to accomplish mostly because of
the Minnesota weather. If the track is not nice, the kids won't come to race. Therefore, we are asking the Elk River
Parks department for some help in making this a success. On the attached document are several things we need to
make the track a success. Under each item we have listed the benefits for the track. In the long term the requested
improvements would help make the track the best in the state.
We understand that these items are costly, but after this winter (2006!2007) there will be no indoor track in
Minnesota. Rehbein's Arena closed in May 2006, and will re-open only for a few months this fall/winter, then will be
closing permanently. In 2008, BMX will be added as an Olympic Sport, and BMX racing will really take off.
Without an indoor facility, hundreds of kids from all over the state will be looking for something to do with their
time unless someone does something about it. The Elk River BMX track would:
• Fit the needs of youth culture
• Provide a safe fun place to ride
• Provide a diversionary activity from crime and anti social behavior
• Encourage an active lifestyle
• Be a low cost -low maintenance facility relative to other sports
• Create a cohesive community by developing a sense of citizenship in young people
• Help the Ciry by generating income for hotels, restaurants, eta (When people come to race for a weekend,
they need a place to stay, and places to eat and shop)
• When we amact large crowds, we generate more income that could be put back into the facility
The City of Elk River has a golden opportunity to be a leader in the BMX community, and we look forward to working
with you to help make this happen. Please carefully consider these items for upcoming years.
Sincerely,
Elk River BMX
SPM
September $ 2006
Page 2
Elk River BMX "wish list" for track:
1. An enclosed buildine over the track with retractable doors all around so they can be opened during nice
weather. (Est. $ 300,000 - $500,000)
* Less maintenance (no tarps, weeds, mowing needed as well as no weather destruction)
* Keep vandals away from the track (concessions building has been broken into multiple times)
* No rainouts or bad weather days (more use)
* Racing would be held on both days of the weekend and would attract people for the weekend from
ouY of town. (Helping businesses)
* At least one b~ ABA event per year (National competition7)
* Only indoor track in the state -would attract riders from all over Minnesota, North &
South Dakota as well as Wisconsin. (Next closest is 5-6 hours away in Elkhorn, WI)
* Talk of the BMX community in the upper Midwest
2. Enviro-tac (a coating over the clay ("dirt glue") [o help keep the track from being destroyed by rain) (Est.
$3,000-$5,000 per year? -priced per gallon liter) http://www.envirotac.com/faq.htm
* Needed only if a building over the track is not possible, or until it's built
* Once this is applied, any rain left standing on the track can be swept off with a broom
* No destruction of the track due to bad weather
* Less maintenance -less volunteer work needed (which is hard to get in the first place)
3. Bleachers along the first and last straight (Est. $10,000 - $15,000)
* Comfort -nice looking
* More spectator space
* Better view of the track and racing action
4. More clay (Est. $5,000 - $10,000) (sometimes clay is donated, but hauling it is not)
* Better, bigger, nicer track
* More use of track if it looks good, (if the older kids like it, the little kids will, too).
5. Six foot Fence around the entire track with lockable gates (Est. $8,000 - $10,000)
.September 8, 2006
Page 3
* Needed only if a building over the track is not possible, or until it's built
* If building is built, would only be needed around the track property
* Would be more eye appealing than what's currently there.
* Would discourage would be vandals from riding on the track and destroying it when no- one else is
there (currently a fairly common occurrence) making more work for everyone
6. Bigger oarkina area (Est. $ 10,000 - $15,000)
* W ould allow more big ABA events -National competitions. The ABA considers parking, lodging,
etc. when determining which tracks are awarded the big races. Big races generate more business for
local merchants.
* Would amact more people
* Eye appeal -nicer looking
7. Trees & Shrubs (Est. $ 5,000)
* Eye appeal -nicer looking
* Help keep wind from hindering riders/spectators during races (until building is built)
8. Bathrooms (with real plumbing-rather than port-a-potties) (Est. $3,000 - $4,000)
* Needed only if a building over the track is built.
* Comfort -necessity -cleanliness
9. Use of City Eq~ment to rebuild track or to haul clay in from any potential donors (Est. $2000)
* Would allow the track to be rebuilt and set up they best way before any large commitments
(building, Enviro-taq etc.)
*City workers are already being paid to use this equipment - no extra cost to the city except for fuel
10. P/A Sound S sy tem (Est. $2,000)
* Clarity for race announcing
* Better quality