On the corner of South Buffalo and West Walker, there are 103 acres of city park land recently used as a home for the fallen branches of North Platte. 308 BMX plans to use the land to build a recreational area for all ages. 308 BMX is a volunteer-based community project with the goal to get kids off the electronic devices and out in the fresh air with the sport of BMX. They will begin the project by using the first 20 acres to build a sanctioned USA BMX track. If all goes well they will use the remaining acreage to build a mountain bike recreation area, remote control vehicle park, and a concrete pump track. So far they have $100,000 raised in cash, grants, contributions, and kind donations. But they need $188,000 to get access to the land.

They have several sponsors already, including Kwik Stop, Great Plains Regional Health, Alive Outside, and the Lincoln County Business Bureau. Now 308 BMX is looking for additional sponsors and contributors to help pay for the remaining funds. “We are on our way… we are hoping the city will give us 50,000 in Newburn funds…If we get that then we would only have to raise another $30,000.” 308 BMX president Brandon McCook said.

308 BMX wants to start groundbreaking in April but could possibly be postponed until May. After they begin building the track it should only take an additional couple of weeks until the track would be ready to race.

They plan to launch their program in with the beginners BMX racing league. This league promotes purely beginners with a 5-week program that teaches anyone how to race. “There’s no intimidation going up on the starting hill,” McCook said. For only 150 dollars the rider gets lessons, a jersey, loaner equipment, and 5 races.

308 BMX wants to be ingrained in the community with involvement in the middle school’s Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics program(STEM), and veteran rehabilitation programs. Their sister program, Operation Dirt Therapy, gives veterans a chance to battle symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by biking with fellow veterans. “It gets your mind set on when you were a kid when you used to go out and ride that bike before all the bad stuff used to happen. Veterans with veterans,” McCook said. They also want to partner with the middle school and let kids build their very own bicycle with the STEM program.

With less than a month left until the proposed construction date of the track, 308 BMX has some funds left to raise. But with the track design finalized and ready to go, their goal isn’t far off. If you would like to donate to their cause, go to 308bmx.org or visit their facebook page for more information.