BMX track plans to move forward as funding secured

Plans for a new Edinburgh BMX track are finally taking shape – ten years after they were first mooted by the council.

Councillors are set to call for detailed proposals for the track at Hunters Hall Park after the project was awarded, in principle, £475,000 by sportscotland.

The new facility will be the second phase of a cycling hub being developed in the park, following completion of a pump track in 2020.

An outdoor velodrome is also planned for the site by Jack Kane Sports Centre, however a timeline for its construction is not yet known.

The council, which announced the cycling hub in 2013, said funding could be secured for the BMX circuit if approval is given at the culture and communities committee on Thursday, August 8.

It will be delivered “within an area that has one of the lowest SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) deciles in Edinburgh and Scotland, providing opportunities for people of all ages within this community to take part in sport and physical activity,” it added.

“The next step is to develop a detailed design for the BMX track, business plan and operational arrangements and committee is asked to give approval to proceed to this next phase of work in order for sportscotland funding to be secured,” a report said.

“The development of a detailed design will clarify the total cost, with value engineering incorporated through this process to ensure that the project moves to delivery within funding available.”

The council currently has £868k allocated to the Hunters Hall development within its capital investment programme, having previously spent £347,000 on two new sports pitches and the pump track.

“A funding application to sportscotland’s Cycling Facilities Fund has received in principle approval for £0.475m to progress the BMX track,” the report said.

Edinburgh Leisure, which will operate the track once open, will continue to work with the council on the business plan and operational arrangements for the track, it added.

“The pricing and access policy is still to be determined but the council will work closely with Edinburgh Leisure to ensure opportunities to access the BMX track exist for everyone across the city.”