Riverbend Park to host city's first pump track

Published on 01 December 2023

Launceston's popular Riverbend Park will be home to the municipality's first pump track, with the Council recently selecting it as the preferred location for the $500,000 facility.

The pump track will be located in the 900 square metre area of land between the Charles St Bridge and the Boathouse Centre.

The City of Launceston will tomorrow advertise a call for design and construction tenders for the new pump track and hopes to complete the project in the current financial year.

Pump tracks are surfaces of constantly changing elevation where bike riders are able to generate speed by pumping or lifting their bikes and then applying pressure, rather than pedalling, as they move over undulating features called rollers, berms and jumps.

However, the tracks are often also used by other user groups, including skateboarders, rollerbladers and scooter'ers.

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said Riverbend Park was a supreme home for the city's first pump track.

"This is another great example of how this Council is listening and being proactive around the wants and needs of the community," Mayor Garwood said.

"The pump track's central location is close to the CBD, has nearby access to toilets and car parks, and is already a major recreational hub for Launceston and the whole State.

"The addition of a pump track to Riverbend Park will be an awesome asset for the city, and one that is going to provide a heap fun and physical activity for people of all ages, for years to come.

"This location has been selected following extensive investigations by officers who have examined a number of potential locations across the municipality and is just the first of what may be a few investments of this kind around the city and suburbs.

"We're looking forward to advertising a call for tenders this weekend, and seeing construction underway in 2024."