Teens call for BMX track

By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren North residents are ready to ride — they just need a BMX track.
That’s the view of local teenager and avid BMX rider Chris Allan, who has urged council to build more BMX facilities for Casey’s youth.
The 15yearold said he wrote to council about the lack of BMX facilities more than three years ago but had not received a reply.
The year nine student said most teenagers in the area, including himself, had to rely on their parents to drive them to other BMX facilities, or build their own tracks.
“When I have been out riding I have seen some kids with so much talent,” he said.
“A BMX track would be great for the community and for kids. It would help kids get together and make a lot of new friends, and would also provide them with something to do.
“We could have several competitions on this track for different age groups.”
Chris said many kids had been driven to build their own tracks, but that most had been quickly knocked down by council.
He also believes that a BMX track should be included in council’s present playground and park development at Heathdale Reserve in Narre Warren North.
“We were asking for the track to be placed where the playground is going but that has already been designed, so we were thinking of putting it next to the playground or behind it,” he said.
Chris’ father, Tim Allan, said safety was the biggest issue of concern.
“We have to travel to Upper Beaconsfield, Lysterfield or Emerald for Chris to ride,” Mr Allan said.
“If mums and dads cannot take their children to these tracks they end up making their own which are then pulled down by council.
“He (Chris) has been wanting one of these tracks for about five years and it is something that the Narre Warren North area really needs.”
Chris has contacted Narre Warren North resident Ben Mammone, who intends to stand for Casey council’s upcoming election, to try to promote the need for a BMX track within the community.
Current Casey councillor Roland Abraham said it was important that Casey provided and encouraged a diverse range of local facilities.
“Council recently approved a motorcross facility in Hallam and there will be provisions there for people to ride BMX bikes indoors and compete,” Cr Abraham said.
“These youths wrote to council about their concerns but have had no reply.
“We must take the youth voice seriously and make sure they have a place to go and a place to do the things they want to do.”