Construction of a mountain bike park at Hernes Oak began on Monday, when a sod turning ceremony was held.
Latrobe City Council welcomed the start of works at the Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park, a project of the Gippsland Mountain Bike Club.
The first class facility will feature 12.23km of tracks to cater for riders of all abilities and will cost approximately $1 million.
The park will also include a pump track, car park, toilet, shelters, barbecue, signs, seats and tables.
The club has 300 members, with 30 per cent of those being Latrobe City residents who now travel to mountain bike parks in other municipalities.
The park is expected to attract mountain bike riders from far and wide, benefiting the tourism industry in Latrobe City.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson joined Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester in turning the sod on Haunted Hills Road. The Federal Government has provided $976,950 towards the construction costs.
Cr Gibson has long supported the park, which has been many years in development.
“Mountain biking is a thrilling sport and this park will enable more Latrobe City residents to get active while exploring our great outdoors,” she said.
“I’d like to acknowledge Nick King of the Gippsland Mountain Bike Club who has been driving this project. We are both excited to be closer to having such a fantastic facility on our doorstep.
“Through the generous support of Energy Australia, we were able to secure an additional parcel of land. I would also like to make a special note of thanks to them in supporting this project.”
Cr Gibson said the park would benefit Latrobe’s economy by attracting visitors to the region. She said the community of Bright, in north-east Victoria, had benefitted from the popularity of mountain biking there.
“This park will make Latrobe City a mecca for mountain bike riding enthusiasts and being purpose-built, will offer an experience that riders will not find elsewhere,” she said.
The park is expected to be completed and ready for use by mid-2021.