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Broomfield Woods To Get BMX Track
The park will offer free open access to encourage physical activity and fun use, as well as providing a venue for structured BMX training and competitions. BMX will be recognised as an Olympic sport for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but training facilities in the south East are scarce. Facilities such as this will soon see inflated demand, especially with the 2012 Games in London and the requirement for specialist training facilities. It is hoped that the new park and racing track will attract aspiring Olympic Champions throughout Kent, Surrey and Sussex and will create new opportunities for local businesses to supply and service BMX competitors. The project will also provide the first public open space for the 4,500 residents in Broomfield, with wheelchair friendly paths, picnic area and play area. It will offer somewhere for visitors and locals to enjoy physical activity, recreation and social interaction. Hedges and trees will be planted to enhance and increase wildlife habitats, offering educational and recreational opportunities for visitors and locals such as school trips and outdoor activities such as orienteering. Janet Waghorn, Executive Director of the East Kent Partnership, said: "The Park will provide a much-needed open space for visitors and the local community. "In addition to the social benefits, it will also offer numerous opportunities for economic growth, with the BMX racing track attracting visitors from across Kent and providing a training ground for the 2012 Olympics." A group of young people has established the East Kent BMX Club in anticipation of the completion of the project and it is hoped that, once complete, the facilities will attract a large number of amateur and professional BMX competitors from across the south East. Steve Bodey, founder of the East Kent BMX Club, said: "The Herne and Broomfield BMX track will bring a much needed boost to BMX in Kent. "BMX is a test of skill, speed, tactics and fitness, but above all it's great fun whilst also being very exciting to watch. The race track at Broomfield will draw racers and spectators from clubs as far away as Dorset and Middlesex to compete in Regional BMX race events, as well as providing regular practice sessions for local riders of all ages." The plans for the park and racing track are in response to local demand for a facility of this nature following community consultation carried out by Herne and Broomfield Parish Council. Further funding has been secured through both private and public sector bodies. Broomfield Park is just one of a number of projects in east Kent being funded by the EKP in an effort to regenerate the region, help it reach its potential and contribute to Kent's future growth. To find out more about BMX racing please visit www.eastkentbmx.co.uk or email eastkentbmx@hotmail.com. Pictured BMX competitor, courtesy of East Kent BMX Club. |
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DTW Vavasour
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The East Kent Partnership is contributing £30,000 funding to the creation of a Community Woodland Park out of a former landfill
site in Broomfield that will incorporate the first Regional Competition Standard BMX racing track in Kent.