New Awaba MTB Park trail to cater for diverse audience
Riders will be able to test out the new Awaba Mountain Bike Park in a matter of weeks after an opening date of 21 July was announced.
In a press release, the Hunter Mountain Bike Association revealed the trail, comissioned last year, would cater to a diverse audience.
The Hunter Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) and Lake Macquarie City Council are excited to announce that the new Development Trail at Awaba Mountain Bike Park will officially open on Sunday 21 July 2019.
The new trail is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Lake Macquarie City Council, Hunter Mountain Bike Association and Forestry Corporation of NSW.
The Development Trail is a specially designed track that enables wider community access to the beauty of Lake Macquarie’s forests. The trails will accommodate riders of all abilities including beginner riders, young children and riders living with a disability.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said this new community asset is the result of a truly collaborative effort across a number of stakeholders to provide Australia’s first mountain bike trail purpose built for the whole community to use.
“Lake Macquarie has a strong offering of active sports tourism and cultural experiences and this new trail provides even more opportunity for visitors to discover our City’s adventurous side.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro congratulated Hunter Mountain Bike Association and Lake Macquarie City Council on the trail which he said was funded with the help of a $450,000 grant from the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
“I’m delighted to congratulate the Lake Macquarie community on this new Development Trail which will give more people living locally the chance to get outdoors and get active while enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of this region.
“Communities are seeing real results from the investments this NSW Government made last term, in this case, it’s the addition of quality sports infrastructure that will give local youth a place to recreate and that will attract tourists who go on to spend at local cafes and shops.
“The now $400 million Stronger Country Communities Fund has been a huge hit in regional NSW and it is transforming community spaces but also providing a much needed stimulus to regional towns and cities.”
When complete, the Mountain Bike Park development will include a new all-abilities gravity trail, an all-mountain trail, a flow trail and upgrades to signage and trail features (Bridges, shade structures, seating and trail heads) – maintaining the Awaba facility as Lake Macquarie’s world class mountain biking jewel.
The construction of the Development Trail was made possible by the award of a NSW Government Grant in 2018 through the Stronger Country Communities Fund. The Grant application and subsequent build is being managed through a collaborative partnership between HMBA, Lake Macquarie City Council, Forestry Corporation of NSW and the NSW Government.
Details of the opening
Date: Sunday 21 July 2019
Time: 11am
The opening will precede a club race day for both downhill and Cross Country. Invitees are welcome to stay and enjoy the spectacle. The main trail will be open to the public from 11.30am.
Place: Entry to Park – Corner of Mt Faulk Rd and Jenkins Rd, Cooranbong NSW (Between Freemans Waterhole and Cooranbong)
Coffee and snacks will be available at the event.
Dress: Awaba is located in the Australian Bush. Attendees are encouraged to wear closed in shoes. Other creepy-crawlies are usually dormant at this time of year.
HMBA Contact: Clint Musgrove (Club President)
Phone: 0402 032 283
Email: presidenthmba@gmail.com
IMAGE COURTESY OF HUNTER MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION
