Damage bill for brand new $6m Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility estimated at $300,000

Riders repeatedly fell when heavy rain caused extensive damage to a brand new $6m BMX track funded by taxpayers. Watch the video of the chaos.

A brand new $6m BMX track in Adelaide’s south sustained damage estimated at $300,000 during its official opening, it has emerged.

The Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility was left with widespread cracks and ripped bitumen when a national competition was held in heavy rain late last month.

Video obtained by The Advertiser shows volunteers using brooms and air blowers to remove puddles before racing was abandoned when the track became too dangerous.

The track at O’Halloran Hill was jointly funded by Marion Council, Onkaparinga Council and the Department of Recreation and Sport.

Riders fall during the official opening of the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility at O’Halloran Hill. Picture: AusCycling

Marion Council has issued media statements saying the track had been inspected and approved by international cycling organisation, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

However, Auscycling BMX sports manager and UCI official Luke Madill told The Advertiser the track did not have certification, which had been sought by the council.

“I made it clear that it would be approved to race a national round, but would not have UCI certification until after the event as corners and other aspects had not been finished,” Mr Madill said.

A volunteer uses an air blower to remove water from the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility Picture: AusCycling

Mr Madill said the decision was made to stop racing early on the first day of competition when heavy rain began to fall.

“It was a two-day event so we wanted to preserve the track as best as possible,” he said.

“We didn’t want to totally destroy the place, so we ended up calling it,” he said.

Mr Madill said BMX “isn’t exactly your safest sport”.

“Honestly it was the least amount of incidents we’ve recorded at that level of event,” he said.

“Wear and tear did start to happen, but the track was holding up better than most surfaces I’ve seen competing in those sort of conditions.”

Riders fall during the official opening of the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility at O’Halloran Hill. Picture: AusCycling

Southern suburbs Labor MP Nat Cook said she and other guests at the official opening on Saturday, January 22, watched numerous riders fall as the track deteriorated.

“They were falling down all over the place when they went into the berms (corners),” she said.

“I have had many members of the community come to me very concerned that a ribbon cut has been put ahead of the safety of riders.

“There was talk before the opening that the track wasn’t ready and parents were told that an interim surface on the berms would be fine.’

Volunteers use brooms and an air blower to remove water from the Sam Willoughby International BMX Facility Picture: AusCycling.

Ms Cook said there were unanswered questions about the involvement of the state government in the opening event being held when the track was not finished.

“The government needs to reassure the public that this process did not put anybody’s safety at jeopardy.”

Marion councillors received a confidential briefing about the damaged track during a monthly meeting on Tuesday night.