Facility will fully open in the autumn
The longest BMX track in London outside the Olympic park will be in use in Merton on Sunday (July 15).
Although the track will officially open in the autumn, the Brixton BMX Racing Club will be using the track for its south regional event.
Located in Mitcham, the track is 340 metres long and offers BMXers the chance to ride all year round as it is also the only floodlit track in south London.
Pupils from schools in the area as well as residents and sports organisation are all set to take advantage of the new facility.
Merton Council has secured funding, allowing them to offer Mitcham schools a discount for hiring the track and equipment. The council will also be oragnising turn up and ride sessions on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The track is already being used by members of the public and there is an embryonic Merton BMX Club developing with some of the members joining in this weekend.
Merton Active Plus courses will be available this summer for children aged eight to 16, giving them the chance to learn basic BMX skills.
Information about the track and charges can be found at www.merton.gov.uk/bmx-track. For more on Merton Active Plus: http://booking.merton.gov.uk/active-plus/sports-and-leisure/bmx/.
Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: "The BMX track has been an ambition for Merton for some time. It has been a triumph of will over adversity and we have worked very hard to create key partnerships and raise the funding needed to make this happen.
"I'm really pleased that in this Olympic year we can at last give it to the young people of Mitcham. I hope they enjoy it for many years to come."
July 13, 2012