BMX track takes shape

The Dampier BMX track has started construction afters years of development, and the new facility could be ready as soon as the end of next week.

Work on the track, a recreational “pocket park” of jumps and turns to be located at the end of Hampton Oval, began on Monday.

It will be of a similar size to the Bulgarra BMX track and has been designed with beginner to intermediate-level riders of upper primary through to age 18 in mind.

The Dampier Community Association are co-ordinating the project and president Sharon Vertigan said the idea came out of community consultations aimed at coming up with facilities for the 21.2 per cent of the town population aged 0-14 years old.

“A lot of the facilities that the City has put in ... are predominantly aimed at the younger age group,” she said.

“We just felt that we needed something for the youth, the upper primary to high school aged group, something for them to do locally.

“While it’s been a protracted process, we’ve actually come to the best possible site for the community.

“Not only is it highly visible and in a central location, it’s accessible to the current amenities and shade and grass and just the fact that it is zoned recreationally ... means it was a lot easier to get the development up and running.”

The project is funded by City of Karratha and Rio Tinto, which provided a community lease for the site, and is being built by Dirtz Trax N Trailz with assistance from Rio.

It is expected to be completed by June 17 with a public opening to follow soon after.