The Cromwell Community Board last week voted to renew the lease on the public reserve bordering Neplusultra St, home to the volunteer-run bike park.
"We’re absolutely stoked with the 15 years plus right of renewal for another 15 years," bike park president Dylan Rushbrook told The News.
"Our kids will be able to take over by then and negotiate the next one."
He said credit had to go to those previously on the bike park committee, who had developed the site and built enough trust with both the council and community board for them to extend the lease.
The council lease would be backdated to 2023, when the former lease had run out, and the biking community would pay a $1 per annum rent for its use of the space, as per the council’s community leasing and licensing policy.
The news meant the committee would now be talking to potential funders for pipeline projects at the park.
"We’ve got that certainty of tenure going forward, which is always viewed favourably by funders," Mr Rushbrook said.
Over the last year, toilets had been installed at the site, dirt jumps upgraded to provide four levels of jump progression, and pine trees removed, all with the support of the Central Otago District Council.
"Looking ahead there are always heaps of ideas for future development," Mr Rushbrook said.
"We’ve just gone through a planning session along with the BMX club looking out over the next five years. The short-term major projects are things like installing shade sails now some of the trees are gone, repairs to the learn-to-ride track and irrigation for the dirt jumps to help maintain them to a high standard in our dry climate."
He said there was also "a never-ending list of little jobs" to get stuck into in the meantime.
The facility was used by the local BMX club and any other riders could use it, too.
"The fact it is open to everyone to come along and enjoy, I think, is what makes it a truly great community asset," Mr Rushbrook said.
