Work has begun to build Inverclyde Council’s new £240,000 mountain bike centre in Greenock.

Contractors ‘Back on Track’ have begun construction on the mountain biking trails at Rankin Park which is also the location of a new £1.5 million football facility.

Education & Communities Convener Councillor Terry Loughran said: “This is another exciting piece in the jigsaw to provide first class leisure facilities for the people of Inverclyde. The mountain bike centre will offer something different to the traditional sports we already have available and will allow cyclists of all abilities to test themselves, improve their skills and fitness and above all, have fun.”

The design for the new mountain bike hub includes a link track, a balance bike track and an area to practice skills. It also includes a pump track - a system of looping trails and dirt berms to allow for cycling without the rider pedalling – a balance nike track and coaching area.
A connecting route to Greenock Cut will also be built to open up longer trails in Clyde Muirshiel Park and the rail link with Drumfrochar.
Inverclyde Council’s Sports Champion Ronnie Ahlfeld said: “Cycling is a hugely popular sport and one that we would encourage people to get involved with. The new facility will be well-used by our schools and we are developing plans with Clyde Muirshiel to extend and connect more routes across Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire.”

The new facility is due to be completed in spring 2016 and will offer a range of opportunities for social riding, beginners sessions, adult coaching sessions, a schools programme, after-schools club and holiday coaching.

The project is supported by Sportscotland with a £90,000 grant from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund. Inverclyde Council is providing the balance of the funding.

DMBinS and Scottish Cycling have supported the project with advice and letters of support to funders.