Test riding begins on South Australia’s new $6.05 million BMX facility

October 14, 2021

BMX riders have had their first run on the new $6.05 million Sam Willoughby BMX Facility at South Australia’s Glenthorne National Park-Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.

A joint venture between the City of Onkaparinga, City of Marion and State and Federal Governments, the new facility is part of a major sports precinct in the south, including new $7 million Southern Soccer Facility which will be a new home for an estimated 900 soccer players and BMX riders.

The Sam Willoughby BMX Facility is named after South Australian BMX star Willoughby, who represented Australia at the 2012 (silver medal winner) and 2016 Olympic Games. The new track will be equipped to host large scale competitions such as state championships and BMX Super-cross World Cups.

The O’Halloran Hill development, which caters for both elite and club riders with an eight metre and a five metre start hill, is the only one of its kind in South Australia.

Final track surfacing, building fit out, car park sealing, and landscaping will be undertaken in the coming weeks with the facility expected to be operational by the end of January 2022.

The testing marks a major construction milestone for the project and forms part of the first stage of the track’s international accreditation by governing body Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

Once complete, the facility will be equipped to host large scale international competitions and will become the new home of the Cove and Happy Valley BMX clubs.

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Corey Wingard notes “this project is a huge win for our state, with the track equipped to host large scale competitions such as state championships and BMX Supercross World Cups.”

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said seeing the riders in action provided a glimpse of the top-level events that could soon be hosted at the facility and added “South Australia has a rich pedigree of elite riders and this wonderful facility will no doubt be a drawcard for the young up-and-coming riders looking to pursue elite pathways.

“Combine this with a pump track for all ages that will be built next year, and we will have a facility that the whole community can enjoy for years to come.”

Onkaparinga Deputy Mayor Simon McMahon shared “This international-standard facility will be a hub for people to keep healthy and active and stay engaged with their community, and it has the potential to grow the local tourism sector by attracting events down south.

“This is a perfect example of the community, clubs, and state and local governments coming together to deliver a shared vision, and I thank all our partners for their unwavering commitment and support.”

Funding for the UCI track has been provided by the State Government ($3.55 million), Marion Council ($1.75 million) and Onkaparinga Council ($750,000).

Construction of the $200,000 pump track, funded by Marion Council, will begin after the completion of the UCI track.

The $7 million Southern Soccer Facility will contain three floodlit turf pitches with provision for a fourth, clubrooms and parking for 320 cars. It will be used by Cove Football (soccer) Club.

Marion Council is providing $4.5 million in funding and the State Government $2.5 million for the facility.

Both the BMX and the Soccer projects have received Federal Government funding through Move It AUS – Community Sport Infrastructure grants from Sport Australia. This included $200,000 for the soccer change rooms and $100,000 for the BMX clubhouse.

Image: Sam Willoughby BMX Facility. Courtesy City of Marion

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