cases as they get set to compete in the Canadian Grand Nationals in Surrey on

VIXer |

Saturday.

Young

seek NV track |

Growing sport has nowhere to go

Liam Lahey Contributing writer

North Shore resident Megan Edgar didn’t care too much for soc- cer, baseball or hock-

ey. ; But the energetic nine year old did discover a sport that fascinated her — BMX biking.

“We are friends with the McCabe family, and their son Robbie has been into com- petitive racing for three years now,” said Megan’s father Steve. “We went to watch Robbie compete and Megan got interested in the sport .. she now competes as a novice herself while Robtic is listed as an intermediate.”

Megan is but one of hun- dreds of children and young adults in the Lower Mainland that have been caught up in the BMX fer- vor.

There are 13 BMX tracks focated in the Lower Mainland, but none in North Vancouver.

Edgar said the popularity of the sport is growing rapid-

tarted a non- profit org, tion called the North Shore BMX Association (NSBMXA) in the hope of promoting the sport,” Edgar said. “There are literally hundreds of boys and girls” involved in’ this sport.

Mcgan, and her eight year old cohort Robbie, will both be competing for the Canada Cup at the Canadian Grand Nationals competition in Surrey on September 5. Edgar said there are approxi- mately 300 riders registered to compete, ranging in age from five to 60.

The budding bikers face tough times preparing for their big comp titions on the North Shore however. Edgar

pointed out there is not onc track good cnough for the kids to practise on west of the Porr Mann bridge.

“We're currently trying to get a track in North Vancouver established with the help of city council,” Edgar said. “There was onc behind che Centennial Theatre but it was lost due to construction we've

ren using a makeshift track i Lynn Creek on the Boy S@uts’ property.”

Edgar said he’s approached city council secking their assistance and the city has shown a real interest in their plight.

“We gave a presentation at the sports council meeting sume time back,” he contin- ued. “The problem is we're running out of land on the North Shore. What we need is a BMX park open to the public seven days a week.”

To help raise public awareness of the young bik- ers’ needs, the NSBMXA has organized a public rally to take place at the Centennial Theatre (Lonsdale and 23rd Street) on September 14 at 7 p-m..

“We're encouraging peo- ple to come out and join us on our ride from Centennial Theatre to th Karen Magnussen Arena,” Edgar said.

“There will be an infor- mation meeting at the arena, and we're hoping to recruit more members for the asso- ciation.”

Edgar added a circulated

tition at local bike repair shops collected over 250 sig: natures from concerned and supportive residents.

“We'll be presenting

¢ signatures to city coun-

.

Anyone secking informa- tion on the NSBMXA’s pub- lic ride on September 14 can contact Steve Edgar directly at 980-4623.

wSdzgtt

1998 -North Shore News — 39°

“3,0 awl? apogl —

Wednesday, September 2,

NOTICE — JOHNSTONE’S WILL BE

Closed for this Labour Day Weekend

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r ue | 2 H on all E natural gas oe propane medels Broil Kimegy.

A ohnstone’ ‘s we service everything we sell - check | us out!

NEWS photo Pau! McGrath MEGAN Edgar, 9, and Robbie McCabe, 8, are looking to add to their BMX trophy

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