Geelong BMX Club has been asking for better facilities for past decade
The Geelong BMX Club is calling for better facilities with young members forced to use dirty public toilets littered with drug paraphernalia.
Geelong
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A BMX club is pleading with council to build it bathrooms as young riders are being exposed to drug paraphernalia at public toilets.
The Geelong BMX club, based in Moolap, is asking the City of Greater Geelong Council to build new facilities because it also wants to host national events.
But its pleas have been unsuccessful.
Michelle Osborn, grants co-ordinator at the club, said it had been trying to get new change rooms over the past decade.
“There are other clubs who are getting their toilets and changing rooms up to standard and they’re getting redone, but we don’t have any at all,” Ms Osborn said.
“At the moment the toilets that we have to use next door to the BMX track and Grinter Reserve are constantly soiled, graffitied and have drug paraphernalia, and also homeless people living in and out of them.
“We have the most phenomenal riders and people at our club but our facilities 100 per cent let us down.”
She said the club was looking at hosting a state series event next year, which would bring hundreds of riders and “so much money” to Geelong.
“But our clubroom has let us down,” she said.
“We are missing out on massive events because of this.
“We know by improving the BMX club facilities and making access to amenities safe, participation and volunteering will improve and our riders and families will feel safe and comfortable.”
Executive director for city life, Anthony Basford said the council recognised the BMX club needed new toilet facilities and a new pavilion.
“Rather than replacing the toilets as a stand-alone project, our aim is to complete both upgrades as part of the same piece of work,” Mr Basford said.
“Unfortunately we were unable to fit this project into our draft 2024-25 budget, but we’re actively looking for ways to fund the work, including exploring external grant opportunities.
“Another priority for the club is the installation of lighting around its track.
“We provided $16,500 as part of our 2023-24 Community Grants program to fund planning for the lighting project,” he said.
Mr Basford said the club will be eligible to apply for the funding to install the lights as part of their 2024-25 grants program.
“Our facility maintenance team completed some small-scale improvements to the existing toilets last year.
The Geelong BMX Club is based on Coppards Rd and has about 120 members.
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Originally published as Geelong BMX Club has been asking for better facilities for past decade
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