December 10/08 9:16 am - Organizers Work To Turn Race Course Into The Test Of Metal Sport Park

Posted by Editoress on 12/10/08
 

Organizers Work To Turn Race Course Into The Test Of Metal Sport Park
ToM press release

Test of Metal, Inc. president, Cliff Miller announced this week plans to work to have the Test of Metal race course in Squamish declared the TOM Sports Park.

“We've had a small committee working on this idea for several months,” Miller said, “it is time to get some public support for our proposal.”

Miller, who credited long time Test Pilot Richard MacKellar with developing the concept, hopes the creation of the sports park will protect the race course and ensure its long-term viability in Squamish.

“People who mountain bike in Squamish know that our trail system is under constant pressure. This will help to protect for years a piece of the resource that we've developed here,” Miller said.

The 67 kilometre Test of Metal route runs on both private and public property which poses unique obstacles to the plan.

“We've sat down with landowners and explained our concept, and their feedback has been very positive,” said MacKellar.

He said that in the short term, the goal is to have some sections of the trail on public lands in the District of Squamish declared parks and work with private landowners to try secure an uninterrupted route for the race.

“In the SLRD we will work within the excellent new Provincial Trails Strategy Framework to ensure the long term health of this world class mountain bike trail,” MacKellar said.

“People seem to understand the importance of this race to the community, and the will is there to find a way to make it work. While recognizing this will be a marathon, not a sprint-it will take time-we're quite confident that we can make this happen,” he said.

The Test of Metal, which is among the most successful mountain bike races in North America, has been running on its current course since 1996.

Each year, more than 800 riders participate in the race which sells out in hours.

MacKellar said the public can support the concept of the sport park by going to the Test of metal website (www.testofmetal.com) and adding a comment onto the page. Soon organizers will have to a letter expressing support available for download.

The Test of Metal Inc. is a not-for-profit entity run by volunteers, and any proceeds from the race are returned to the community through charitable donations. Since its inception, the Test of Metal, Inc. has donated more than $100,000 to community organizations and events.