Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August, the city’s Council has revealed.
The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.
The development has also drawn the Canberra BMX Club to the city, with the organisation holding a Come and Try Day at the BMX track on Sunday 21 August.
The club’s Board Chair, Paul Buttel said the event is designed to introduce local residents, particularly kids, to BMX and show them the skills and thrills of BMX racing, which is an Olympic sport.
“We are keen to generate interest in Wagga Wagga’s residents for BMX racing and hopefully be the catalyst for creating a club at the Wagga Wagga site,” Mr Buttel said.
“We also hope to put on a show for residents showing how family friendly BMX racing is with our members racing from young through to masters.”
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Strategic Recreation Officer, Peter Cook said the event will give locals the opportunity to get involved in the sport and to check out the new BMX track.
“It’s an important step in encouraging the growth of the sport in our region, hopefully flushing out some interest such as the formation of a club in Wagga Wagga,” Mr Cook said.
“We already have a strong cycling community here who regularly use the facilities at the complex for club meetings, and it would be good to see that extended to a local BMX club.
“The local support also makes Pomingalarna an attractive destination for regional, state and national level competitions, which deliver economic benefits for the city through visitor spending on accommodation, food and retail.”
Following closely on the heels of the BMX day is the 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championship next weekend, which is expected to draw 400 competitors and officials plus their teams and supporters, while around 130 competitors and officials will attend the 2022 Mountain Bike National Gold Level Cross Country Olympic (XCO) event set down for late October.
