A new venue for bicycle enthusiasts opened up on the weekend, with organizers hoping to capitalize on the central location Olds offers in the province.
A BMX track was built inside the MegaDome over the past couple of weeks, in preparation for a provincial race later this spring from March 30 to April 1. The race will bring in between 300 and 500 riders from around the province and will be the first on a schedule of six around the province for the 2012 season.
Dale Tuchscherer, indoor cycling centre project manager with the Alberta Bicycle Association, said the MegaDome provides one of the largest facilities in the province to build a track in.
"It really is one of the largest facilities in the province. There's not a lot of facilities that could house a BMX track and that was certainly one of them,î he said.
A similar track was housed in Morley beginning about five years ago and a race was held there for three years, but the facility closed, forcing the association to find a new central track.
"We'd like to really do something with the community and get them involved. I think this is something we'll run for quite a few years to come,î Tuchscherer said.
The ABA has partnered with the Olds Agricultural Society to rent the MegaDome during the winter months for a training and race program from October through April. The facility would be open to riders every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to practise their skills.
Tuchscherer wants as many local riders to come out as possible. Saturdays will be dedicated to an open track, giving riders the opportunity to test out the track, while Sundays will be reserved for a training program from about 11 a.m. to about 1 p.m. to teach riders different skills they would need to start racing. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, riders will have the opportunity to try their hand at racing.
Curious about the possibilities the MegaDome might offer, Tuchscherer said he got in contact with the OAS in October 2011.
"When I spoke to the Ag Society, they were so gung-ho to help. Maybe that's just the small-town mentality, and Ö (it was) absolutely sensational how these guys helped us out,î he said, noting that the OAS helped, for example, to secure hay bales around the track. Richardson Brothers brought the dirt in and shaped the track to Tuchscherer's specifications.
"They plan in the future to dump dirt and store it on the site for us so next year we'll have twice the dirt and we can build even a more incredible track,î Tuchscherer said.
There are 1,300 members of the ABA, one of several provincial associations across the country.
Tuchscherer said the great thing about the sport is it is open to anyone, with riders of all ages and skill levels competing. National and international competitions are also held, with many riders from Alberta competing at the international level.
For more information about the sport, check out www.albertabmx.com.
"We'd like to really do something with the community and get them involved. I think this is something we'll run for quite a few years to come."Dale Tuchscherer, indoor cycling centre project manager, Alberta Bicycle Association
