Collingwood’s cycling community is heading to Side Launch Brewing Co. on March 20 with a clear goal. They’re raising money for the next phase of the town’s pump track park.
The event runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. and features live music from local band Jackson Zero. The dream is to build a second and larger pump track in the Old Village Park.
The project’s second phase is ambitious. The group behind the track hopes to raise $500,000 to build a longer, more advanced track that could elevate the venue from a popular community feature to a destination for riders.
“We’re working on phase two for the pump track at the moment,” said Ryan Markham, a director with the Collingwood Pump Track committee (a subcommittee of CORC). “We’ve been told by the town they had secured $300,000 leading into this year, but they told us that that’s actually gonna be pushed on to next year’s budget.”
That means the community needs to raise its own share to keep the project moving.
Building on a busy first phase
The existing pump track opened to strong local demand and quickly became one of the most heavily used recreational spaces in town.
“We currently have a beginner/intermediate track,” Markham said. “That was a huge success.”
According to town officials, Old Village Park was the busiest park in Collingwood last year.
The next step is expanding the concept.
“The phase two track, the plan is to build a World Cup track,” Markham said.
The design would create a layout capable of hosting higher-level riding and competition.
A community project from the start
A small group of local parents and riders started the pump track project.
During the first phase Markham helped coordinate equipment through his job with Battlefield Equipment Rentals. The track itself was built by Transitions Bike Parks. Local volunteers pitched in with everything from fencing to laying sod around the finished track.
Markham also stood alongside town officials during the ribbon cutting that officially opened the facility.
“It was super special for me because this has been a dream of mine for the last eight years.”
Getting the riding community involved
The March fundraiser brings the bike community together as spring riding approaches.
“We’ve got Jackson Zero, a local band here that’s really fun, upbeat,” Markham said. “So the idea is to get the bike community out and get them out and gather and listen to some good tunes.”
A raffle for prizes…
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