Mackay District BMX track leaves Walkerston, track to remain open

A rural suburb will be keeping its BMX track after the club running it leaves as the council looks to take over operations.

Mini-wheelers lining up at Walkerston's BMX track. Picture: Mackay and District BMX Inc Facebook

A Mackay suburb BMX bike track will remain open under new management as the club that started it all searches for a new home.

The Walkerston BMX track was set to be closed from November 2023, when the club president Brett Wilson made the decision to shut the venue due to financial reasons.

The Walkerston BMX club started in 1981 and has been a home for the regions BMX enthusiasts.

Walkerston BMX was established in 1981 at McLennan Park, Walkerston, as the first BMX club in the Mackay region.

It later amalgamated with other clubs into the Mackay and District BMX club and the club has since alternated between events at the Walkerston venue and another track at Snow Wright Ct, Andergrove.

“The upkeep on the Walkerston facility is getting a bit out of control,” Mr Wilson said at the time.

Walkerston's BMX track will remain open to the public under council management. Picture: Mackay and District BMX Inc Facebook

 One of the club’s major financial strains was the starting hill structure, which had become unsafe and would be expensive to replace or refurbish.

“We’ve had to knock it down,” he said.

The track remained open to the public, but there was concern that it would eventually be shut if it didn’t receive council support.

Mr Wilson was able to confirm council will be taking over management of the site and that while the BMX club would no longer be operating from the venue, the track will be open to the public.

While the club focuses their efforts on finding a new venue and building a new track, there will be a farewell sausage sizzle on July 12 for all the clubs supporters.

Council have been contacted for details regarding the public facilities opening hours and a reopening date.