The new Cook Islands Cycling Federation BMX and skateboard park at Ngatangiia. From left: Teruaroa Rangatira James (Jimmy) Rennie, Vaka Takitumu’s Pa Marie Ariki and Olympic Selector for Cycling New Zealand Tony Takurua. 21092803.
In the near future, kids can chase their BMX and skateboard Olympic dreams, right here on Rarotonga.
Work is underway on a new BMX (Bicycle Motocross – a BMX
bike is an off-road sport bicycle used for racing and stunt riding) track in
Ngatangiia.
The Cook Islands Cycling Federationand the team leading its BMX component has had the BMX track development in the pipeline for the past five years and had earmarked work to start in 2019 – prior to Covid-19.
Executive committee member Damien Beddoes said they
have received some support from the International Cycling committee to start
things off, “and Pa Ariki has been the biggest contributor, providing the land
for the future of our kids, she has great vision and we are extremely
grateful.”
“We couldn’t get this project done without Tony
Takurua’s (committee member) expertise and Bruce Northwood’s (president)
international connections who are both New Zealand cycling selectors, “so its high
level involvement,” said Beddoes.
Pa Marie Ariki fully supports the project, “this is
something good for Takitumu and the kids to keep an active lifestyle and offer
them another form of sport that they can be part of,” she said.
Teruaroa Rangatira James (Jimmy) Rennie also showed
his approval saying, “it’s a good thing for our community and it’s also in a
good spot.”
Takurua, a building constructor has passion and a
wealth of experience in BMX racing – a sport that has been a part of his
family’s life for over 25 years.
Three of his children Holly, Trent and Josh have
represented New Zealand nationally and internationally, raced in the world
championships and Trent has represented NZ at the Olympics; and his eldest son
Damien has represented New Zealand and the Cook Islands in rugby league.
Takurua is currently an Olympic selector for Cycling
New Zealand, and has designed and built BMX parks throughout New Zealand,
Australia and the United States.
“Everykid likes to ride a bike, but you need somewhere
to go, and I want to put something back into the community while I can,” he
says.
He has cleared the over an acre of land in Ngatangiia
(next to the Ngatangiia LDS church) for the project with a digger courtesy of Chris Vaile.
The design of this BMX park facility will be as good
as anything you can get around the world, said Takurua.
The tracks will be a 350m circuit with a range of
obstacles and turns; a carpark, modern playground facility, skate board park and
a mini pump track for kids to ride is also part of the development, costing in
the range of $500,000.
The Cook Islands Cycling Federation are looking for
additional partners who would to support the project for our kids
This is about doing something to the kids and we would
like to hear from anyone who can offer any form of assistance, said Takurua.
“Like they say, ‘if you build it they will come’ and hopefully
we can achieve and produce future Cook Islands Olympians in these sports (BMX
and skateboarding), by
having a facility that they can train on.”
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