Albany mountain bikers pumped to build new track as Youth Challenge Park takes shape

A trio of Albany mountain bikers are helping build a new pump track in Albany expected to be one of the biggest in Australia.

State mountain bike rider Corben Weinert, along with fellow Albany riders Hayden Kinnear and Zayne Francis, is part of the Common Ground Trails team building a six to eight-lane asphalt pump track alongside a new skate park on Sanford Road.

The pump track, which will be capable of holding State competitions, is part of the City of Albany’s Youth Challenge Park project.

The project has received more than $1.4 million in State and Federal funding.

Weinert, who raced motocross before switching to a mountain bike, said the pump track would be great news for WA riders.

“I’m sure it will be one of the best parks in WA,” he said.

The group started construction on the pump track about six weeks ago.

Once completed, Youth Challenge Park will become the new home of the Albany Mountain Bike Club.

“Hopefully it will be completed by June,” Weinert said. “Our aim is to get is done as quickly as possible and get people out here enjoying it.

“It will bring a lot of bikers to town on weekends and it will be well worth travelling for.”

The park will also feature a 2.1m-deep skate bowl, skills park, dirt jumps, a skate plaza, activity areas and spectator zones.

City of Albany infrastructure, development and environment director Paul Camins said the Youth Challenge Park was on track for completion by mid-2021.

“The pump track still has a few months of work until it is accessible to the public,” he said.

“The skate park is closer to completion, with elements such as the skate plaza, bowl, stairs and street skate items almost ready for use.”