New pump track in Fife village could open this summer

It is hoped work to transform the old BMX track in Kennoway into a facility capable of hosting major events – which would be the first of its kind in the Kingdom – could begin early this summer, once all the funding has been secured.

It is estimated that the new track, which would be suitable for bikes, scooters, skateboards and skates, will cost around £150,000.

To help the team achieve that goal, a fundraiser has been launched with the aim of showing potential funders the level of support from the local community.

“It’s not about the amount you put in,” explained Gavin Harrower, a member of a local mountain bike group.

“It’s about the amount of people who support it. This is mostly about a commitment from the community to show that there is support.

“It will get kids back out and exercising again. I hope we can get people to put some money in and show the community is behind us. I have faith it in.”

The group has secured large-scale funding from different organisations and has submitted an application to get a chunk of government funding for such schemes.

If the project goes the get the go ahead and is open at the end of the summer, Gavin hopes that it will one day be able to host major events.

He noted that a smaller pump track in Edinburgh is hosting events, giving the team something to aspire to.

“There is nothing to say we can not work towards that,” he said.

While Gavin has big dreams for the pump track, he wants it to benefit the local community.

He said: “I want to set up a bike club and hand it over to the community, as a bit of a legacy. It would be good to buy bikes for the club, so people who don’t have their own bikes can use them.”

Gavin has been working on the project for more than two years – and he’s almost at the stage of turning his dream into a reality.

“I’m really excited,” he said.

“It’s been a drag and a long haul, but I was positive that it would get pulled together.

“I’ve seen other areas in Scotland get pump tracks and Fife has been left behind. Now we’ve almost got it I hope other parts of Fife will be inspired and get their own. I’m hoping the track will inspire people to get out and make new friends.”

Learn more at – www.crowdfunder.co.uk/kennoway-pump-track.