Title
Consideration of Parks and Recreation Board Recommendation Regarding BMX Track Improvements
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve $50,000 for BMX Track Improvements.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council provide direction regarding prioritization of this project as it relates to other projects. Please see discussion below within the "Body" for further information.
Board’s Recommendation
On September 12, 2019 the Parks and Recreation Board passed the following motion (4-1):
“I move that the Parks and Recreation Board (PRB) request that the County Council amend the FY2020 budget to include $50,000 of the $90,000 for BMX track improvements so that work on the BMX track can commence in FY2020. Parks and Recreation Board recognizes that volunteer work that would have produced a functioning and safer track in 2019 without cost to the County was stopped by the County in May 2019, transferring this project, and the resulting responsibility to complete it as soon as possible, to the County.”
Body
In May of 2019 a volunteer group led by Dan Deschamps started work on renovating the existing BMX track on North Mesa immediately south of the horse stables and indoor riding arena. This work was stopped by County staff due to safety and liability concerns. Shortly after the work was halted, staff met with members of the volunteer group to look at possible solutions to renovate the BMX track. Dan Deschamps reached out USA BMX and learned that USA BMX would build a track for the cost of equipment, fill material, starting gate (including associated concrete) and housing for the construction crew. In addition, the site would need electrical power to power the gate structure and water hydrants to aid in maintenance of the track. There would be no charge for USA BMX labor and the track constructed would be indemnified by USA BMX. County staff had a conference call with USA BMX staff and a $90,000 construction estimate was generated by staff. The scope of the $90,000 construction estimate included construction of the track including starting gate and electrical / water service with associated meter installation. Bleachers, concessions, and lighting were not included in this estimate and are not considered necessary amenities at this time. There is an existing concrete vault toilet immediately north of the site near the covered riding arena. Existing parking south of the track is ample.
The Parks and Recreation Board was supportive of completing the BMX track improvements and approved the aforementioned motion. Discussion during the meeting recommended that the $50,000 be repurposed from a line item in the Parks Small Caps fund currently allocated for “Bike Park and Strider Bike Tennis Court Repurposing”, yet this recommendation was not part of the motion. With this funding in mind, the construction estimate was reworked to determine what could be accomplished for the $50,000. This revised estimate is shown in Attachment A. All items identified in the construction estimate could be completed except for the starting gate. It is recommended by staff that the project move forward with a simplified starting gate and the funding for a regulation starting gate be programmed in the future - possibly by cost savings in this project.
The PRB indicated that they would like to have work as soon as weather allowed during the Spring of 2020 requiring a budget amendment rather than waiting for the FY2021 budget process. This would allow for the track to be used during the summer of 2020. Scheduling of USA BMX staff in July after the FY 2021 budget process would likely lead to construction completion in the fall of 2020, effectively missing the 2020 riding season.
BMX racing is one of the fastest growing family-friendly sports in the world. The reconstruction of the existing BMX facility would not only give Los Alamos families a place to practice and race, having a USA BMX sanctioned track would open the possibility of hosting USA BMX racing events in Los Alamos. This would be the only USA BMX track in northern New Mexico (currently, the closest USA BMX sanctioned track is in Albuquerque).
It is anticipated that a dirt strider park track would be included in the construction of the BMX track, similar to what is found at the Duke City BMX track in Albuquerque. See attachment B.
If this project is approved, then the Community Services budget will be reworked to include normal maintenance for this County asset.
Alternatives
Council could choose not to fund the project and a future plan would have to be determined for the existing BMX track facility.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The funding for this project could come from reallocating the line item of “Bike Park and Strider Bike Tennis Court Repurposing” in Parks Small Capital Projects Fund to this project. The line item is $50,000 for FY19 and was not spend in FY19. Staff impact would be minimal since CSD Parks, Recreation and Open Space staff can adsorb the project management time commitment associated with building the track.
Attachments
A - Revised BMX Track Construction Estimate
B - Pictures of Duke City BMX Track.