A new shelter and picnic bench at the North Saanich Free Ride Park will offer people a place to relax and mountain bikers a place to fuel up after a long ride in the park.
The shelter project, a partnership between the Friends of North Saanich Mountain Bike Park Society and the Peninsula Co-op, was made possible by Co-op donating $10,000 to the cause.
“It’s really great to be able to support something in our community like this,” said Co-op board member Patti Hunter. “Not only is it in keeping with our mandate because it’s supporting a local organization, but it’s also fantastic to be able to support something that keeps youth active and outside doing things.”
The new installation features a poured cement pad, complete with a built-in water fountain installed by the municipality of North Saanich, a steel roof to keep the elements off and a picnic table made from sturdy, synthetic lumber.
The Free Ride park is a fitness park for cyclists of all ages and has been a work in progress for the last eight years, receiving support from North Saanich Council and private donors who have given time, labour and money towards the project.
With the new shelter, the park is now 80 per cent complete but still needs $50,000 to finish the last phase, which will connect all the jumps and build an access path. For more information, visit freeridebc.com.