Track Re-install - How do you get HELP ?

[SammyVee]

I live right next door to the bmx track at Sennelys Park which is in Birmingham and pretty close to the one in Kingsheath.  I think both held the Kellogs races in about 84.. !
The both tracks are still there but pretty unrideable.
How do you go about gettin help to reinstall or rebuild them ??
Would the best idea be to get local interest from schools etc and propose it to the council ??

[danny silverstreak]

i used to mess around at bham wheels as a kid and remember getting off the train at stetchford  from coventry

ahh memories

[SammyVee]

Took a drive up to the old wheels track not so long ago.  Still there and still just about looks like a track !! If only somebody would rebuild it !!!!!!! Somebody !!

[stidds]

I heard that the Birmingham Wheels track was being rebuilt?  I don't know if the actual track or a new track on the site.

[Mattdub]

A new track is being created on the Wheels site

[Eddy]

It is possible to secure funding for bmx track renovations it just depends how far you want to take them,
On one hand if you wanna keep stuff simple gauge public support and get chatting to local councilors, chances are if you sell it right they may be able to get some people in to do some minor re-vamps/rebuilding on the track.  It would never get it back to race standard but give something for kids to play on.  On the other hand if you want to get them rebuilt to a high standard you will need to form a club.  Get the club affiliated with British Cycling and start applying for development grants via them.  With bmx going Olympic cash is more plentyfull than you think however going down this road will take a lot of planning on your part.

[SammyVee]

Wonderfull advice.  I have written an email to my local counciler suggesting the need for a revamp, considering the fact the track is redundent and would be a great regeneration scheme for the area.  I have mentioned that it would provide a thriving environment for kids to excercise and a means for stopping kids simply roaming the street, doing nothing. and mentioned that the popularity of the sport is again on the rise with many tracks being erected around the country.  I have also mentioned the Olympic games.
You never know.  I couldn't form a club I don't think because I don't know enough about it, but I'm sure there must be somebody who would do it..
Could do with a cool bike shop in the area also, now I wouldn't mind havina go at that.. trouble is I'd want to stock it with the oldschool !!! ha ha

[20yrsago]

I heard that the Birmingham Wheels track was being rebuilt?  I don't know if the actual track or a new track on the site.
[im not sure about that they want to build the new birmingham city casinoi on the wheels site planning permision has been flying around for ages and the sad thing the locals are in favour/quote]

[20yrsago]

opps

[currio]

Sammy, get your spade out man, and do it yourself.
Build it and they will come.....
 

[SammyVee]

As mad as it sounds I have actually considered doing just that.. just wandered how many bags of sand it would take to resurface.. !!
Any volunteers

[Eddy]

Depending on the length it will take around 60 ton of surface and about the same for the sub base.  Personally me and few others on here have built sections of Hartlepool by spade and it is very hard work.  Still many hands make light work etc

[sam hudson]

Get ready to bang your head against a brick wall....a lot.Trying to get the council to do anything is an uphill struggle and very frustrating.You can do it though.
Dont just try one way,try to get the local papers involved(do the whole bmx...olympic sport thing).Then as soon as you are in the papers get contacting the local councillors.Try to get building suppliers interested...if they will give you some materials or plant hire...you're half way there.Demolition sites would maybe be able to give you a load of hardcore to dump on the site(council permission first of course).
If you can go to the council with the materials and plant already sorted or half sorted,they'll be easier to persuade.
I've thought about trying to get our track re-vamped and i think that the club idea is a great one,but that relies on getting a lot of people together.If you can get it done yourself,you have less headaches.
Difficult tho

[SammyVee]

As yet, not even a reply from the local councellor 

[sam hudson]

Go meet them...they have to see you...you're a voter after all..Mp's have surgeries(open days when they meet the punters),Councillors do the same...start the ball rolling when thay cant run away from you.Get in the paper...it ALWAYS works.