County and National Cuts put paid to Hook Road Arena BMX Track

The Hook Road Arena (HRA) track for BMX pushbikes, which was to be installed later this year, has no funding. The County Council first decided to withhold 25% of the Playbuilder Grant it had received from Government, then Government cut the Grant entirely.

Location of the proposed BMX track had already received publicity because one councillor wanted its location moved in case it interfered with an event in HRA which takes place once a year. The borough council had voted against this request and had firmed up on the location. All that effort is now wasted. Cllr Jonathan Lees (Stamford) who has championed facilities for young people in the borough, said "We realise that Government has a difficult task and everyone is going to be affected before the country's finances are put right, but it's a real shame that it's come to this. The chance of getting the borough council to fund the track are slim and certainly not this year, but we'll keep trying to bring it back to the Leisure Committee and hope that a way can be found."