Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last weekend, I had the privilege to open the Jingili BMX club's brand new track. This $1.89 million all-weather international standard track called Ahren's Arena allows Territory riders to train throughout the wet season. This facility is the first of its kind in Australia. During the 2010 campaign there was bi-partisan support for this facility. As the member in opposition I continued to lobby and ensure the $1.5 million commitment from the federal government remained and was delivered to NTBMX.

The new track includes a cyclone coded roof over the new purpose built track, an Olympic standard Progate starting gate and television standard lighting. This new facility will ensure that Top Enders can train and prepare all year round for national and international competitions.

We have four riders—Ryan York-Morris, Jayde Freeman, Mickayla Perkins and Ian Orr—attending the 2014BMX Worlds in Rotterdam. I wish them all the very best and I look forward to opportunities for the Top End to host national and maybe even international BMX competitions, because we now have the best facility in the country with the best weather. I am grateful and thankful that we received this money.