Warwickshire News Mine

There will also be a free family fun day to mark the opening.

Chris Watkins, Chair of Ford Residents Association, said: ”The fun day starts at 10am and Mayor Bill Shepherd is opening the new BMX track at midday. 
 
“The 16 metre wide by 32 metre long track took around 5 weeks to build and is designed by the leading BMX track designer SN Jenks. It has a concrete start hill with manual start gate and four numbered lanes. 

"The track incorporates a series of challenging jumps with three burns (turns) before the finish line. BMX is an extreme sport that has been embraced by the Olympics. 

"It is not a fad. The kids will learn new skills and they are already queuing up to use it. You never know, we may have a future Olympic athlete among us.”

On the day, professional BMX riders will be demonstrating their skills, doing tricks and showing people what they can do on the bikes. There will be races, too, that can be entered by members of the public.

You can enter on the day but must bring your own bike, wear protective headgear and long sleeved shirts and trousers. Elbow and knee pads are also recommended. A BMX bike is up for grabs for the overall winner.

The new track is a result of partnership working, which came to fruition when Ford Residents Association successfully secured a grand total of £20,500, including £5,000 from Warwickshire County Council’s Community Development Fund, £3,500 from Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Community Plan Fund and £12,000 from Building Sustainable Neighbourhoods. 

Cllr Pat Henry, County and Borough Councillor and member of Warwickshire County Council’s Nuneaton and Bedworth Area Committee said: “The new BMX track is a result of good partnership working between the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, the police and lots of other organizations. 

"We could not have done it without Chris’ enthusiasm because he has managed to get the funding for this with the help of both councils. We hope the rec will become a flagship for how a community space could be used.”

The Police were also involved right from the start, working closely with Chris and the Ford Residents Association, attending meetings and involving local schools to find out exactly what young people in the area wanted from the project.
 
“The fun day offers something for all the family and we would recommend you come along if you can as it should be a great day out,” said Chris.

Thanks to Heart of England and The Children’s Network who have funded the £7k Grand Opening, all the fun day activities on the day will be free.
 
As well as small fairground rides, trampolines, and an airplane simulator, there will be a falconry display, pony rides, jugglers and face painters, food, music, and entertainers.  There will also be a mega slide, bouncy castle, professional tennis coaches and a band on the day.
 
Chris Watkins added: “The young firefighters are coming with a fire engine and police dogs. Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust will be holding a mini world cup tournament, volleyball and sports throughout the day.

"The golf course will be open throughout the event. There is a circus workshop demonstrating and teaching circus tricks, a punch and judy show and the Early Years Centre are going to do some play activities for the under six year olds.
 
“If it proves successful we would like to hold a community fun day every year. So we will see how it goes. It will be great to see the rec so full of life. It is what it is all about. 

"We want the rec to offer something for all sections of our community and for the community to take ownership of the area and look after it for generations to come.
 
“We are hoping if we can offer enough facilities to keep the youngsters occupied they will prefer to come to the rec to have fun, rather than hang about the local streets. They are great kids, we just need to give them something constructive to do with their time."
 
PCSO Ruth Sherwin said: “The community is going to benefit from the new facilities enormously. It will bring the community back together and get everyone talking to each other again. It already seems to be working. People seem to be using the park more. 
 
"This is a great boost for the area and should help to keep young people off the streets and give them something to do. This should also help reduce fear of crime as people get to know each other better hopefully more respect will follow.

Chris Watkins concluded: “Our work is not over yet. We would like to develop a quiet garden for older residents and families, and to identify a flat grassed arena that could be used for community events, like fun days in the future.  We would also like to improve the entrances.
 
"It’s not stopping here, it’s just the beginning. There are many people who have helped and we are very grateful to everyone who has been involved.”

Link to WCC