Council remain in confidence over disastrous track

A southern council is remaining tight-lipped over repair costs to a controversial BMX track plagued by issues, but has revealed a likely reopening date for the $6m Olympic-standard arena.

An inner southern council says riders will have to wait until November before they can access the controversial SWBMX track again, while keeping tight-lipped on repair costs surrounding the project.

The botched Olympic-standard $6m Sam Willoughby BMX (SWBMX) track, has subsequently become the bane of Marion Council’s existence after the raceway cracked under weather conditions in January.

At August’s council meeting, elected members went behind closed doors to discuss the final costs and insurance claim, refusing to release the cost of repairs to the public.

City of Marion Chief Executive Officer Tony Harrison said the council understood the frustration from the public over the closed track but reaffirmed the information would soon become public.

“Elected members unanimously resolved to lift the confidentiality of this report as soon as the insurance claim relating to the SWBMX Facility is resolved, subject to any confidentiality provisions imposed by the insurer,” he said.

The track has been closed for the better part of the year for repairs. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“When the works are done and the curing is complete, a date for the facility’s handover to the clubs will be arranged and a small launch event will be organised.

“If the schedule of work is completed as planned, we anticipate that handover will occur sometime in November.”

Earlier this week, it was announced two southern suburbs clubs lost the right to host a major event in October.

The event has now been moved to Gawler with the Cove BMX Club expressing their disappointment in a social media post.

“While we are disappointed the State Championships could not be held at SWBMX this year, we are looking forward to hosting them next year,” the post read.

“Both clubs are working closely with the City of Marion and the builders to see the successful completion and handover of the SWBMX Facility to the clubs in the very near future.”

In February, the council revealed the damage bill for the track was $92,000.