- November 26, 2024
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Coming this fall, thousands of BMX bicycle-racing enthusiasts will be zooming around a dirt track at the Steel Rail Industrial Park, located off U.S. 1, in Bunnell. That’s if everything goes according to plan for Renny Roker, founder of JAG BMX.
Roker, who began pitching the idea in December, said he’s excited about the progress of the track. Roker said the four-story starting ramp is being ordered in the coming weeks and the construction on the track is already under way. The first phase of the track will be on an 11-acre parcel and could expand to more than 30 acres when the entire complex is complete.
Roker said the track should be open to riders come mid-October. Events could take place as soon as December.
“We’re excited,” Roker said. “Being a permanent fixture and being an official Olympic facility provides us with a unique opportunity to say, unequivocally, that we will have athletes from all over the world (come here) to participate.”
According to Roker, the track in Bunnell would be the only track east of Colorado.
Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon said the city is not involved in the BMX track.
“We are hoping his program works well in Bunnell,” Landon said, adding that if it is successful, it will benefit the entire county.
“It will be good for all of us and all of our kids,” Landon added.
Roker, however, urges the cities and county to get involved.
“This is an exciting adventure that I think everyone is going to benefit from,” Roker said. “But we’re the only one with skin in the game.”
Dave Winters, Roker’s financial manager, said that when the facilities are fully built out, the price tag could be around $18.9 million. The track itself will cost about $1.2 million, Winters said.
Roker has plans to build an academic facility with classrooms and tutors for an after-school educations program for students.
Jobs will also be created, Roker said. He estimates about 40 full- and part-time employees will be devoted to the track, while another 250 to 300 jobs could be created when the bicycle-manufacturing plant is built within the first five years.
For more information, search “JAG BMX” on Facebook or visit www.jagbmx.com.
