With A Little Help, Peoria BMX Track Back On Its Feet
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: September 18, 2012
PEORIA -- The BMX track at Peoria's Detweiller Park is struggling to stay afloat following a string of break-ins.
It's a story we brought you on WMBD 31 News last weekend. Now with a little help, the track is opening up just in time.
Come Saturday, the gates will drop and the race is back on.
Riders and visitors will miss the concession stand candy, but Director Rich Rowell said the track got back the only thing it needs to hold a race.
A donated compressor is what's getting the starting gates back up.
Rowell said the outpouring of support has been tremendous. He said tracks across the country have reached out to his Peoria riders.
Despite the negative circumstances, he said this track is here to stay. Rowell said, "We've got plenty of support from our BMX community from all over the U.S. I've got tracks calling from all over wanting to donate equipment, whatever we need to get the gates dropped. The kids are our future. They're what's coming. They're going to be in the Olympics one day."
Rowell expects about 40 riders to be racing this weekend.
He plans to meet with Peoria Park District Police to discuss measures to make the track more secure.
Police still have no suspects in the case. It remains under investigation.
