THE organisers of last Saturday’s Collie Velodrome fundraiser held at the Collie BMX Club hope it will help convince the Collie Shire Council of the importance of redeveloping the landmark site.
WestOz Trail Design co-owners Jaymin King and Brent Welhan are pushing ahead with efforts to get the project off the ground, having made a deputation to council earlier this year about building a BMX pump track at the velodrome.
Mr King and Mr Welhan said they believe councillors are behind the idea in general.
“They all know that the velodrome is a bit of an eyesore at the moment, and something probably needs to be done,” Mr King said.
“This event is purely for us to raise a bit of money for that and to get the community together.”
Mr Welhan acknowledged there are “a lot of questions about costs”, however, pointed to the tourism benefits the redevelopment could provide.
“It’s been a bit of a waste of space for 20 years now,” he said.
“We’re trying to bring it back as a recreational facility for community use and to bring people to Collie as well.
“Today’s just a small snippet of what could happen with the velodrome.”
Mr King believes the fundraiser will play a strong role in kickstarting the process.
“It shows them that we’re committed and we’re keen to get the project up and rolling,” he said.
Mr Welhan said that should the velodrome project not go ahead, the funds will be directed to the BMX club.
Deputy shire president Ian Miffling said the council has “not made any commitment” to the project at this point.
“The shire is working through a strategy for all public open space which will look at the best use of reserves, including the recreation ground and velodrome,” Cr Miffling said.
“We are also aware of the government’s plans for a pump track to be built in Collie. 
“These are matters that will need to be taken into account in any decision making.”