Ground broke on Revelstoke’s anticipated pump track Monday, April 14 after over a decade of imagining, planning and partnering. The track officially became a goal for the city in the 2011 Parks Master Plan but budget, location and partnerships pushed the project back until it was finally reaffirmed as a goal for the city in 2022. In October 2024, international pump track developer Velosolutions was awarded the contract.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Alex Cooper, Revelstoke Cycling Association executive director told Revelstoke Mountaineer. Talks about a Revelstoke pump track have been on the radar since he moved to town in 2009 with Cooper himself writing updates for the Revelstoke Review about the proposed development.
“This project has been a long and winding journey with lots of back and forth,” Laurie Donato, director of Revelstoke Parks, Recreation & Culture told Revelstoke Mountaineer in a written statement. Now, with the help of Velosolutions’ expertise in pump tracks and other recreational bike infrastructure, the Revelstoke pump track is nearing reality.
Pumps tracks provide a consistent environment for riders focused on skill development before testing things out on more challenging trails. With an asphalt-looped track, riders have a continuous route with easier banks, hills and turns than what can be found on more advanced trails.
“You really get to focus on your bike handling abilities, and it’s in this central location, you don’t have to drive out to the trails. You can get to it very easily and have some fun,” Cooper said.
One particular local voice has been key to getting the project over the finish line, Cooper emphasized. Harrison Salisbury, RCA trail construction director and Skookum Bike and Ski manager has championed the project since joining the RCA board. Connecting with Revelstoke’s biking community, Salisbury made sure it was a resource the community would use and then worked with Donato and other community members to map out what was possible.
“His goal, his main priority, was to work to get a pump track built for this community,” Cooper said.
Once the city heard from the community about a want for a Revelstoke pump track, staff got to work sorting out how to make it happen.
“I have to give Laurie [Donato] a lot of credit for listening to the cycling community and community as a whole, making this project a priority, taking the lead on it and doing everything she could to get it built,” Cooper said.
Donato doesn’t have one particular group in mind that she’s most excited to see use the track once it opens.
“I’m just truly happy that this project has finally become a reality for the entire community,” she said, noting that working with Velosolutions has been a breeze and the company’s knowledge and resources for the project have been vital in keeping things on track.
“They’ve been highly professional, accommodating and detail-oriented, making the process smooth and efficient,” Donato said.
Currently the Revelstoke pump track is expected to open June, 2025 for all riders. City of Revelstoke will announce the official opening of the track through its newsletter and social media.
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