£40,000 funding to bring pump track for Fife bikers closer to launching
Members of Levenmouth area committee agreed to spend £30,000 of community planning cash on the new track at the Sandybrae Centre in Kennoway, with a £10,000 grant from the area capital budget for electrical connections.
Levenmouth area services manager, David Paterson, who is leading on the project, said it is almost ready to proceed to a formal planning stage.
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Hide AdHe said there were "good vibes" around the project, and joked with local councillors that he would be among the first to "do wheelies around the track" when it is built.
Reception to the plans - drawn up under the Levenmouth Plan for regenerating the area - has been extremely positive.
Council bosses hope the facilities will be embraced by children and teenagers, and see it as a magnet for future youth groups and biking clubs.
Local councillors have thrown themselves behind the plan, hailing it as an important regenerative project for Kennoway and Levenmouth as a whole.
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Hide AdCllr Colin Davidson (Lab, Leven, Kennoway and Largo) said: "I think it's going to bring a lot of income into the area."
His SNP stablemate David Alexander added: "Our communities deserve first class facilities - anything we do has to be class to make a difference and this is.
"I see this as an opportunity to revitalise the Sandybraes Centre as well."
Pump tracks are specially made dirt courses of banked turns and hills that are navigated by "pumping" up and down on a bicycle to keep momentum up without using the pedals.
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Hide AdThey have exploded in popularity in recent years, with the first officially recognised World Championship being held in 2018.
Project designers Velosolutions say the track will be designed with riders of all skill levels in mind - adding that it could even host competitions.
In December, councillors agreed to fund the design process at a cost of £10,000. That process is underway and could be completed sometime this summer.
Nearly 100 locals contributed to a crowdfunder, raising £2,123 between them over the course of 28 days.