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(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Petitioners are asking Vernon city council to turn a former race track into an all-age bike park.

The North Okanagan Cycling Society Youth Committee’s change.org petition has gathered more than 1,000 signatures, as of Feb. 27, to transform the former Kin Race Track into a bike park. 

“In 2021, Vernon was the 11th most-ridden city in Canada and 23rd in the world. Additionally, the North Okanagan Cycling Society grew 500 members last year alone. Our biking community would love to see more facilities dedicated to biking in our downtown area, and when polling our youth, dirt jumps were the number one request,” wrote petition organizers.

READ MORE: Vernon Kin Race Track decade-old legal battle finally over

The bike park would include a set of dirt jumps for all ages, with considerations for a paved pump track and a covered skills area.

“Professional input will allow for jumps that are built with safety in mind, encouraging local youth to spend time here instead of building their own. These recreational facilities would also accommodate other sports,” according to the petition.

The petition will be presented by the youth committee to councillors Monday, Feb. 28 during a regular council meeting.

The youth committee lists several examples of similar bike parks in its petition, including Kamloops Bike Ranch, Langford's Jordie Lunn Bike Park and Nanaimo's Stevie Smith Memorial Park.

In 2020, a feasibility study was conducted to determine the likelihood of transforming the track into a indoor recreational facility, park and housing.

READ MORE: Vernon's former race track could become activity centre, park and housing

However, uncertainty remains around the Active Living Centre until a referendum has been held. It currently has been set in conjunction with the upcoming municipal election for Oct. 15, 2022.

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