It was a case of Christmas coming early for the Omeo community last Saturday, December 19, with the much-anticipated opening of new Omeo Pump Track and Skills Park.

In front of a crowd of more than 120 community members and guests in the heart of Omeo at Livingstone Park, Deputy Mayor Cr Mark Reeves officially opened the new facility with community member and advocate for the project Jill Hill, and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.

The pump track is an undulating asphalt course designed around the word ‘Omeo’ and suitable for skill levels from beginners to the most advanced. The skills park section on a natural surface includes features and components have been sourced from the local area and repurposed as integral elements.

Cr Reeves said the skills park is “distinctly Omeo”.

“The facility has been designed around providing an attraction for families, providing a challenge for all skill levels and from what we saw on opening day it delivers on all counts. It was great to see youngsters just starting out on two wheels enjoying the course as the more experienced riders,” Cr Reeves said.

“The opening of the Omeo Pump and Skills Track is an important milestone. It’s the first completed component of the much anticipated and Omeo Mountain Bike Destination Project. Saturday’s opening was a great demonstration of the support for this project.

“At a cost of $250,000,the pump track has been delivered by Council in partnership with funding partners – the Commonwealth Government and Regional Development Victoria – and our contractor Common Ground Trails.

“The quality of the project – both in its design and execution – is a great advertisement for what is to come over the next few years with the Omeo MTB Trails Project.

“I am certain it will be both an attraction for visitors, adding the economy of the region, and a great local community asset for many years to come.”

The Omeo Mountain Bike Destination Project is based on long standing community involvement with strong advocacy, and support from all tiers of government. The project is being funded by Council ($1.5M), Australian Government through Building Better Regions Fund ($1.5M) and the State Government through Regional Development Victoria ($1.0M).

Stage one of mountain bike trail construction will start in 2021.