Whistler Village Bike Park receives funding for expansion and upgrades this fall

September 7, 2012 – The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has received funding in the amount of $83,026 for upgrades to the Whistler Village Bike Park located near Fitzsimmons Creek. Several organizations contributed to the project including $40,000 from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, $24,860 from American Friends of Whistler (AFOW), $15,366 from Alpine Bike Parks and $2,500 from the BC Bike Race.

“The RMOW recognizes that the Whistler Village Bike Park adds to Whistler’s extensive inventory of cycling opportunities for residents and visitors. Thanks to the generosity and collaboration of several organizations, the Whistler Village Bike Park will receive a much-needed facelift,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden.

Originally constructed in the mid-1990s, upgrades to the park ensure it remains safe, as well as progressive in terms of current riding trends. Thanks to collaboration with organizations such as the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, construction on the aging Whistler Village Bike Park will add to Whistler’s inventory of world-class cycling experiences. 

“The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation’s priority is to continue to benefit all residents of the Sea to Sky corridor, focusing on children and youth. The upgrades to the bike park will positively affect a large demographic of our local communities and we are proud to be involved in such a great project,” said Mei McCurdy, Executive Director, Whistler Blackcomb Foundation.

“The American Friends of Whistler is very pleased to be able to contribute funds toward this needed project”, said Rod Rohda, AFOW President. “The Bike Park provides youth another opportunity in Whistler to get healthy outdoor exercise-at no cost to them.  It continues to be heavily used and the upgrades will substantially enhance rider’s enjoyment and challenge.”

Currently the park consists of four zones: a jump track, a pump track, a beginner skills area and an intermediate skills area. Alpine Bike Parks, a design/build company based in Whistler, will install a series of newly engineered FlowForm trail features to give the Whistler Village Bike Park a progressive edge. Improvements include renovations to the beginner skills area and the addition of flow trails.

“FlowForm features are engineered bicycle playground structures that will bring bike parks up to the level of professional design common in traditional playgrounds and other public amenities,” said Judd de Vall, Alpine Bike Parks founder. “Our goal is to provide recreation managers with a clearly superior bike park product that is popular with riders, aesthetically beautiful and extremely durable.”

The Whistler Village Bike Park provides both locals and tourists an opportunity to improve skills and gain confidence. The Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association (WORCA) currently uses the area for youth programs and clinics, teaching safety, etiquette and technique to cyclists.

"We are very grateful to all of the organizations contributing to this project and look forward to having a new bike park that will meet the needs of all levels and ages of riders.  The upgraded park will provide our coaches with the perfect practice facility to teach their students new skills and help them progress to the single-track trails,” said Louise MacDougall, WORCA director of public relations.

The RMOW will continue to consider other improvements to the Whistler Village Bike Park as part of its commitment to maintain and enhance Whistler’s parks and other community assets. The RMOW manages 31 community and neighbourhood parks within Whistler’s municipal boundaries. Each of Whistler’s neighbourhood parks is unique – some have play structures, picnic tables and BBQ stands, water features or other attractions.