New Ipswich BMX Track Opens!
The grand opening of the new Ipswich BMX track in Landseer park took place on Saturday 11th September surrounded by a huge buzz of excitement and a flurry of BMXers testing out the new track.
The project was led by Ipswich BMX (IBMX) Club which has worked tirelessly over many years to secure support and funding for a new and improved BMX track. The previous one in the same locations was over 40 years old and had seen better days. The project cost over £300,000 for the new track and clubhouse. Sarah Mortimer, Senior Manager Community Engagement at CAS, supported IBMX Club to secure £30,000 from People’s Health Trust for the new track using money raised by Health Lottery East. Sarah worked closely with Tracey Reeve, Club Secretary and Funding Lead over the past 18 months to support the club to put together a funding application to People’s Health Trust, including clear reasoning and evidence for the track including benefits for the local and wider community and to ensure IBMX Club had robust policies and procedures in place.
“Community Action Suffolk have been so supportive in our project, giving advice and helping us to complete documentation that was out of our understanding. This support has been invaluable and I don’t feel we would be in the position we are now in without it. Thank you again CAS for your help and support with this project.” Tracey Reeve, Ipswich BMX Club.
People’s Health Trust supports communities to reduce health inequalities through addressing the social and economic circumstances that people face. These include improving social connections, individual and collective control, and the local environment, which all have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Access to the new BMX track will not only encourage physical skills connected to riding a bike and BMX, but individuals will also have the opportunity to improve their mental health.
“We’re pleased to see that construction for the BMX track is complete thanks to the hard work of the staff and volunteers involved. Access to community spaces that local people can enjoy safely are really important. This BMX track is a space the community can use to learn new skills, form friendships and be active which will be hugely beneficial to people’s mental and physical health. Following a difficult couple of years for everyone this will be a huge boost to the community and we can’t wait to see local people given a chance to showcase their skills and passions.” David Jones, Director of Grant Programmes at People’s Health Trust.
“Working with Tracey from IBMX Club has been a real pleasure and it’s been great to have been on this journey with them. Working with Voluntary & Community Sector groups committed to making positive changes for the community is what CAS is here for. This new track will be a phenomenal asset not just for the club but anyone who comes to use it. The club encourages riders of all ages to get involved at all levels from leisure to regional and national competition standard and outside of club times the track will be open to the public. It’s so inspiring to work with groups such as IBMX Club who are all volunteers and dedicate their time and energy to ensuring dreams become a reality for the community.” Sarah Mortimer, Senior Manager Community Engagement, CAS.
Angela Lee-Foster, Suffolk Pro Help Manager at CAS, linked IBMX Club with Suffolk professionals for pro bono support from KLH Architects and BRIX Brand & Creative. The track was being built by Clark & Kent, the contractors who have built award winning BMX and BMX Pump Tracks across the world including the London 2012 Olympic BMX track. Other funders for the track include British Cycling, Sport England, Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Borough Councillor Kathy Bole, Lord Belstead Charitable Settlement via Birketts and Suffolk Giving Fund from Suffolk Community Foundation.