Campbell River’s Bike Park is getting a helping hand from a local bike shop.
Until June 30th, Swicked Cycles has pledged to match donations the community makes towards the completion of the final phase of the park.
“We only needed about $10,000 to finish our $400,000 project,” says CR Bike Park Society president Wendy Ravai. “Swicked came up with an idea that they would match any donations that the community made up to $4,000. That could be $8,000 or more for the bike park, pretty much securing our completion.”
She says it’s “very exciting.”
The shop isn’t the first to step up and help out the society though.
Earlier this year, Daybreak Rotary donated $19,900 in funds for the park.
“That was our most recent donation,” Ravai says. “We also just received another $5,000 from FortisBC. Prior to that, we received $100,000 from Noon Rotary.”
Ravai first launched the bike park project about nine years ago and has since faced several roadblocks.
“Trying to find a location, raise money and get everything together. Last year, we were able to build phase one. We opened it to great success with the city. The use has been really good. Now, we’re going onto the second phase to finish the park.”
After construction is complete, the park will have the addition of four jump lines, a drop zone and a family skills area.
The society is hoping construction begins sometime in June.
“We’re just in final approvals with the city. We’re hoping that we can open this summer.”
Ravai says the project comes with an “overwhelming demand by the community and riders to have a place to develop skills and also progress at their own pace in a safe space.”
“Mountain biking has been one of the fastest-growing sports in B.C., if not North America,” she says. “We live in the impedimy of mountain biking with Cumberland one of the top ten places to ride in the world, not just locally.”
Without the support of the community, Ravai says “there’s no way we would be here.”
“Mayor Andy Adams has personally provided us with support to keep the project going through the setbacks and frustrations. It’s really made me feel a part of the community of Campbell River. It’s been amazing.”
Donations can be made in person at Swicked Cycles on 14th Avenue or via e-transfer.
For more information, send an email to [email protected].
