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A once-unused and neglected BMX track at Princess Vlei Eco-park has been revived and brought back to life thanks to passionate BMX riders, parents and the community.
Ashleigh Sandes, a parent whose two young children enjoy BMX racing, says every Wednesday she would travel to Stellenbosch or Khayelitsha as there were no BMX tracks in the southern suburbs.
“My son is 7 and has been riding for under two years. We used to take him to a charity in Stellenbosch that has their own track every Wednesday and that is where my love for BMX started and getting my son involved.”
When Sandes was approached at the end of last year to start a club to rejuvenate the BMX track at Princess Vlei, the mother jumped at the idea.
“It all started in November 2023 when Western Cape BMX approached me as a parent to start a club and rejuvenate the track at Princess Vlei,” she said.
“I formed the Princess Vlei BMX committee with three other committed parents and we were very fortunate to have South African BMX rider Darryn Stow on board who has been instrumental in helping us get the track to the condition it is today, with steeper berms and a wider track.
“Darryn attended the world BMX champs last year and obtained 12th position, so he is very experienced and has been to the best BMX tracks in the world.”
Previous attempts by the Pedal Power Association to restore the track back to its former glory in 2018 came to a halt once covid hit in 2020, explains Sandes.
After a few months of fundraising and thanks to the generous donation of prizes from various local businesses including the Bike Park at Constantia Uitsig, Princess Vlei BMX were able to raise enough to complete Phase 1 of rebuilding the track.
“We still have a way to go – but it’s a start. The Princess Vlei Eco-park has such incredible potential not just for BMX but for other sporting and community projects.”
At the relaunch of the track last month, more than 100 riders from across the Western Cape attended the event.
Sandes said it was heart warming to see how community members came together to make the track a success.
“The local neighbourhood watch and Craig from Ithuba security also personally gave up his time for our open day to come and help with security. Another local business, Jason Pienaar Irrigation, ensured we have a permanent water supply on the track.
“The ward councillor has been so supportive of our plans and initiatives and these are all community members giving up their time and offering their resources.”
Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate said there had been numerous challenges along the way.
“We started a process to rehabilitate the track and to get young people to become excited about BMX racing and we engaged with people which is how we discovered a group that was interested in using the track.”
Southgate commended Princess Vlei BMX for rejuvenating the track.
“The NPO Princess Vlei BMX understood the rehabilitation of the track and they have done some good work up until now by bringing in extra materials and moulding the track to get it ridable.”
He added that it was encouraging to see parents involved.
“The most encouraging thing is to know that it is a bicycle club run by parents who are keen to use the facilities. Also, what was exciting to see was the involvement of families which is what I would like to see at the space.”
Southgate added that engagement with the City and the NPO continues.
“Ashleigh was the real motivater behind all of this and the biggest take away is that we have a relationship with an NPO and the City who is committed and keen to get BMXing up and going in the area.”
Meanwhile, Sandes says they hope to spread the joy of BMX.
“As the only BMX club and track in the southern suburbs we hope to spread the joy of BMX in schools by hosting a series of fun races and events, but more importantly getting people from all walks of life on their bikes, from the little one (our youngest member is four) to the fit and old.”
The club is launching BMX Fridays and invite residents to join in the fun. “We have invited the community to come and ride, to have fun on the bike and to see what it’s all about,” she says.
“It’s not all about racing but the life lessons and friends made on the track.”
