BMX fans to get new track after Tampines park closes

BMX fans to get new track after Tampines park closes

SINGAPORE- BMX enthusiasts will get a new track to replace the one in Tampines Bike Park, which will close tomorrow.

Ms Irene Ng, an MP for Tampines GRC, announced this to cheers during a carnival held at the park yesterday afternoon. The event was organised by the Tampines Cycling Town Committee.

"I know that for many of you, the BMX track here has been a very good friend," she said. "I can guarantee there will be a good replacement site. It is a matter of where and when."

Ms Ng added that she and fellow MP Baey Yam Keng - who was also present at the event - have been pressing Sport Singapore (SportSG) to announce details of the new site as soon as possible.

The track, located in the bike park in Tampines Avenue 9, was the only place where BMX racers could participate in the sport here.

The track was specially built for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010, and is the only one in South-east Asia certified by the International Cycling Union.

However, the park will have to close to make way for the new Tampines North housing estate.

SportSG issued a tender to design and build a new BMX track in June, but cancelled it soon after without giving any explanation.

BMX racers at yesterday's event welcomed the news, and said they hoped that the new site would be ready soon.

"The nearest track is in Malacca, which is about three hours away (by car)," said Ms Nur Nasthasia Nadiah Abdul Nazzeer, who showed up at the carnival for one last race.

The 22-year-old Republic Polytechnic student has been participating in BMX races since she was nine, and represented Singapore during the YOG.

Added Mr Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, the Singapore Cycling Federation's vice-president for BMX: "We were hoping they would change their minds (about closing the park), but they didn't.

"We were left high and dry."


This article was first published on Sep 14, 2014.
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