Posts
4
Joined
5/24/2016
Location
Huntington Beach, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
5/25/2016 8:26am
I just wanted to get the word out to the moto world that the Orange YMCA BMX track is suppose to close this summer after over 40 years. Another sad day for Orange County and two wheel sports. I was told they are building a Costco or storage facilities onsite, just what we need.
I don't know if there is anything we can do or if anyone has any ideas, but it is a big bummer. Money always wins, especially in greedy SoCal
I don't know if there is anything we can do or if anyone has any ideas, but it is a big bummer. Money always wins, especially in greedy SoCal
The Shop
BMX is a bit unrecognizable to me these days, with clipless pedals, Supercross-style tracks, paved berms, etc.
sucks to hear of the track closing, i've never been but we had a couple in the area close years ago and we had nowhere to practice anymore and eventually lost interest.
We appreciate feedback regarding this matter. It’s unfortunate SoCal BMX Youth Sports Inc. (Owner: Ruben Sanchez) did not provide clarity on their decision not to continue operating the BMX track.
As an organization we understand the value this BMX track has provided youth and families over the years. The YMCA of Orange operated the BMX track for over 20 years, but there came a time when it was no longer sustainable. Sustainability was directly related to the number of BMX participants. We can’t speak to SoCal BMX’s business finances/model, but we were informed there has been a steady decline in participation throughout the years. Based on what was communicated by SoCal BMX, there were over 100 BMX participants in the past and now there are approximately 40 participants, making this business venture for SoCal BMX no longer sustainable. We assure you the terms of the agreement in question between SoCal BMX and the YMCA of Orange are significantly under market value.
As an organization we respect SoCal BMX’s business decision not to extend the existing agreement past April 30, 2016. The YMCA of Orange and SoCal BMX didn’t want an abrupt ending to this historic track, so we came to a mutual agreement that the last day of BMX programming will be August 31, 2016.
Given the recent developments, the YMCA of Orange will embark on a community needs assessment in the future, as we strive to maximize our assets in an effort to address community needs. It’s unfortunate many have been provided inaccurate information about future plans for our YMCA of Orange property. We have not considered RV storage/parking, as many have referenced in their feedback.
We want to reiterate this was a business decision made by SoCal BMX. We encourage you to direct parents that have concerns/feedback to SoCal BMX, the operating entity of the BMX track. The YMCA of Orange has no additional comments regarding this matter.
If you would like to learn more about the future community needs assessment, feel free to contact the YMCA of Orange in the Fall.
Thank you,
Jimmy Ozaeta
CEO
YMCA of Orange
146 N. Grand Street
Orange, CA 92866
Main Line: (714) 633-9622
Fax: (714) 633-4337
E-mail: jozaeta@ymcaoforange.org
if they only have 40 riders out there how could anyone expect them to survive ?
A lot of local companies make $$ off these racers. We have Fox, Troy Lee, Answer, Monster etc, I'm surprised nobody is looking into this as a place to showcase their products during racing.
There should be hundreds lined up there not 40. Has to be more to this story.
Our local track in my area has also been around since 1974-75. It is on county park property. Around December of last year, a 90 foot deep sink hole opened up, and the track ,as well as the entire park, has been closed since.
Hillsborough county leases the property from Pinellas county. The lease is up for negotiation this year. Pinellas wants to raise the lease amount, and Hillsborough is waiting on the terms. Neither side has shown any interest in repairing the sink hole.
Usually would get about 75-100 riders on race night. Two practice days were also run. It looks like they are not going to reopen anytime soon, and will probably lose their core base of riders.
Sad. Rode my first BMX race there in 1976. My nephew loved going out there, as it was not quite as demanding as our other local track.
Rider turnout is a greater reflection of this society's helicopter parenting than any current socioeconomic or equipment situation.
Video games ROCK !! No one gets hurt....
I qualified for Gold Cup at that track back in the day. Actually going to Simi BMX tonight with my boy.
Pit Row
The statement of 40 people isn't really a true statement. The track is slow some days and busy others (especially nationals/double points), but what they are saying is 40 people claim the track as their home track. A lot more racers whose home tracks are Bellflower, Perris, Whittier, Apple Valley and the San Diego tracks race there too. Those people just aren't marked as racing on their home track. It does get busy and there are off days, especially when other tracks host the nationals.
Still going to get as much attention in forums and the media I can get on this, its all about the kids and they don't seem to care.
Thanks everyone
Was getting ready to pull this thing down and rebuild it to ride with my boys at the track
Ever ride at Twin Palms?
Can't believe how much I have lost from being away from it for so long. I was so pumped last night just to get a decent gate and manual a couple doubles. Kids out there are just crushing it these days. I just love it though ad can't believe I'm doing it again.
I still ride now , but tracks have come a looooong way from high seat post for sitting down round the flatfish berms days
It's all pumping and manuals now with bowl Tarmac berms .
both my boys ride 6 and 9 and go to training Tuesday nights ,we are racing sat night and Sunday this weekend .
I know this thread is almost 8 years old... but damn, I raced here in the 1970s. This is the same track that was originally called Western Sports-O-Rama, started by Steve Rink / PeddlePower, right?
Such a bummer the lot still sits vacant after all these years. The YMCA building caught fire from vagrants multiple times the last few years so they finally razed it to the ground. The property was slated to become an islamic cemetery and the residents have been up in arms about it. I'd be shocked if the city council lets that go through. So for now it sits vacant.... we need another BMX track in OC.
still a downer after all these years GOOD NEWS is bellflower and whittier are still going strong and have a fantic following
so cal did lose yucca valley bmx and antelope valley bmx recently but Apple Valley / Hesperia / Lucerne Valley / Yucaipa / grand prix are still up and going and are viable options to get your moto on bmx style
the usabmx grands had hundreds of motos again this year , id say bmx is again on the rise silly clip pedels and all
It's my understanding that there's a group working with OC Park officials to get a track built at the Great Park in Irvine. There's a Facebook group called Great Park BMX if you're interested in getting involved or want to follow the story. I think BMX/MTB-legend and OC resident Brian Lopes has joined their effort. I'm not affiliated with the group, just a former Y-local.
Another old thread resurrected....
Pretty sad places like the BMX park are getting shut down all over the place.
This is why I laugh at the Stark/E-bike crowd wishful thinking that noiseless motorcycles are going to open up tracks in city limits.
1. ) Real estate is too expensive.
2.) The city/state wants businesses that bring in maximum tax revenue.
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