Construction has begun on the first mountain bike skills park on the east coast of the province. The facility, located in Pippy Park, is being jointly funded by the Canada Summer Games and the province, along with a $100,000 agreement with Volkswagen St. John’s and Audi St. John’s.

According to the Avalon Mountain Bike Association, the turnaround time will be quick, with the park slated to open for the start of the summer. In the short term, the facility will be used as a training area for Canada Games athletes and will be part of the course once the games begin in August.

President Lachlan Roe-Bose says after the Canada Games conclude, the park will be maintained as legacy infrastructure, noting that the association owns the facility, with the land being leased on a five-year term from the Pippy Park Commission.