Onkaparinga Council save Happy Valley BMX track from closure as $6m Sam Willoughby facility damaged upon opening

More than 2500 people petitioned to save a BMX track from destruction and now as its new $6m neighbour crumbles the local council has made a call on its future.

After a more than five year fight to save a beloved BMX track in Adelaide’s south the local council has decided its fate while a neighbouring track has begun to crumble just a month after its grand opening.

City of Onkaparinga approved the decommissioning of the Happy Valley BMX track in Aberfoyle Park in 2016, following the announcement the $6m Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility would be built.

This week the council voted to retain community assets in its current form – welcomed news for Happy Valley BMX Club president Scott Rouvray who said it would help grow the sport at grassroots level.

The Happy Valley BMX track. Picture: Facebook

“By having this track, it will allow riders to develop their skills before they head over to the Sam Willoughby facility,” Mr Rouvray said.

“This reaffirms the importance of a community track, it’s a very well respected track and the surface and style has a lot to do with it.”

The community had fought to save the track with Mr Rouvray’s petition generating more than 2500 signatures from past and present users, begging the council to change its mind.

“I used this track and so did my kids,” Ruben Hamilton wrote.

“These are important social zones for kids and families.”

Less than two weeks after hosting its first major event, a $6m O’Halloran Hill BMX Sam Willoughby facility hailed as ‘world-class’ has been abandoned by riders, looking worse for wear. Picture: 7 NEWS

Councillor Geoff Eaton supported the decision telling the meeting the Happy Valley track meant far more to the community than its rich successor, which is in need of $300,000 worth of repairs a month after opening.

“Reflecting back to the opening of the new BMX track and what happened, it’s now severely damaged as a result of rain,” Mr Eaton said.

“The general community aren’t going to get the same access at Glenthorne park as they are to this one.

“You see people from all around the city coming to use the track because there is nothing else like it.”