Chilliwack DJ - FVMBA

[stillgoing]

If you're familiar with Chilliwack dirt jumps, you'll recall that they were flattened a few months ago, much to the dissapointment of all local DJers.

Since then, FVMBA has been working with the city of Chilliwack with the goal of creating a sanctioned set of new DJs. Result: The city has provided machinery, dirt, labour and land for a NEW set of jumps.

Construction started this weekend; more finishing is needed, and more jumps will be built - but it's a start!

We plan on having a formal opening in a couple weeks, but in the mean time....

Have fun!!

[Jamie_k]

Sweet. How big is the big set? I might have to come out there after school one time. And where are they?

Jamie

[Gary Harder]

Those who live in the Chilliwack area should be happy with the coming back of the " westside " dj area.
Seems when the city inherited this land ,and dj's were noticed,and taken out,the kids ran to the phones.
Calls to the mayor,parks and rec dept etc.. and lots of calls resulted in the city phoning fvmba to ask if we could make a dj area that was safe.
The immediate answer was yes.
So after a bit of a delay, dirt was brought in ,local dj'ers Byron Kitt/ Ryan Popma agreed to not only help redo but will be the dirt reps of this area,keeping it in shape over time.
Lets hope this all works out with the city,and kids,if so it will be a good template for future dealings.
Westside features a intermediate set of dj's tabled,with three sets and two sets of expert lines gapped but with ample case pads and different lips.
A rythm set to return riders to the start and a separate soon to be completed little boys and girls area of a small beginner set of dj's and a baby BMX track.
If enough riders keep asking maybe the next step will be to start asking for a BMX track, Sardis has so many young kids why not eh?
Lets hope for all those who have put out the big effort it all works out.
Yes the expert dj's are big,but it will only be going down as all dirt areas know only too well.
No fridges or stoves in the middle,or trees or other hazards,I feel they are safe. If this goes good expect phase 2 next summer with a trails area and maybe some low skinnies and ladders??
That and a very quickly improving local dj scene.
Seen a 10 year old just ripping it up ,not to mention lots of others who will quickly start getting better,the groms are coming......
A jam will be coming very soon,next weekend it should all be done.
Water is coming and we are looking for a steel storage shed to store the rakes and shovels etc... bought by the fvmba for this area.
Good vibes to the city and all those who are helping make this happen.
Gary

[stillgoing]

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&z=17...09978&t=h&om=1

It's at the corner of Webb Ave and Sheffield way.

[JohnV]

looks awsome steve and gary! good job, chilliwack needs some djs really badly

[baloom]

Originally Posted by Gary Harder

Those who live in the Chilliwack area should be happy with the coming back of the " westside " dj area.

Hey Gary, any idea why these are being called westside now since the former manifestation of this dirtjump area (prior to bulldozing) was always called the Southside dirt jumps by everyone that used them (this name is a result of being situated on the south side of the freeway in chilliwack)?

Mark

[baloom]

I saw the initial construction happening recently and there were kids clamouring around and hitting the dj's despite the hi-hoe working away around them.

I rode by today thinking it would be nice to finally ride them....couldn't get near the place.....there had to be at least 40 kids riding. It is exciting to see the enthusiam for our sport amongst the younguns'. I don't mind waiting my turn to ride them....a perk of self-employment is that I can go during the day when the little tikes are stuck in school and I have it all to myself.

[Gary Harder]

I had wondered why westside myself ,and the reason for the wrong name?
me. If the name before was Southside then so be it.
I have just returned ,and the smiling faces were everywhere.The equipment to finish this week is down, in getting fixed ,so next weekend we will be finishing the area.
The city has brought in a temporary solution ,they bought 4x100ft hoses and hooked up to a firehydrant with a valve for now.
This has immediately brought about a hardening of the jumps,(powder begone.) The dirt jumpers are cutting the lips and smoothing the area.
Todate the starting hill may need to be raised,but till this area is watered down ,it will have to wait till next weekend,where a excavator will raise this area. Big thanks to fvmba CWack reps-- Gerald Lankhorst/ Mike Giesbrect/ Rob Friesen as they continue to work to completion of the area.
Next weekend looking to make a pump track? as well as the kiddy area.
A rythm section taking riders back to the starting hill as well.
Life in Sardis just got better.
gary

[Groundskeeper]

Actually, it is westside. It got that name because of the Westside Riders store that used to be located in the Sardis plaza on Vedder rd.
If some one asked where the jumps where, we would tell them "off vedder rd., behind Westside Riders" (they had a bright yellow sign, very hard to miss)
Where southside came from, i don't know. Probably from some of the kids that are new to the area.

[Gary Harder]

Well I just got home but the dj park is done.
Featuring a new pump track and a Small BMX track for the little kids is done,it even has two tabled little dj's for the little guys.
As well a rythm section taking riders back to the starting area.
Already the kids are coming in droves,and most are local.
Speaks volumes for the local scene,you just know these guys are gonna rip it up.
We are going to decide which weekend for a opening day celebration jam.
two or three away,tba.
City will be bringing more garbage cans ,and water stand pipe is coming,hopefully with a shed for the tools.
City parks manager was smiling this week as were all the kids and parents.
Come spring we will be bringing a machine to rework it again.
The only set giving up problems is the big set,we may have to put a dropin or pave a runway? But with the water I am sure one weekend the guys will have at her and figure it out.
Already the area has had a couple of really fun things added,like a quarter pipe out of dirt and a couple of sweet transfer lines between the jumps.
More communities need to look at the ease it took to make something which has had such a great buyin by the locals,and is becoming a destination to the kids to go and rip it up.
I am sure there will be some pixs added.
gary

[brigusnf]

Gary,

How is the facility insured? I assume it is under the same policy as the rest of the city's recreation facilities (rinks, ball fields, skate parks) but I am interested in examples so my hometown can be shown what is doable.

Thanks
John

[Uncle Duke]

wow!

[Gary Harder]

More and more municipalities have chosen to insure skateparks through Municipal insurance assc. dj area's are also starting to enter this list.
Done properly dj's can be safe (no fridges and stoves in the gap) take away the trees,pointed sticks etc..
Skateparks and skaters are now mainstream, DJ's much cheaper is like a wave it's growing,everchanging. BMX bikes ,Mtn bikes ,no one cares ,just ride.
Bikeparks need not be pricey, local involvement,of neighbours/parents ,riders .
Tracked bobcat T200 and a small cat d-3 or hoe , landscape rakes ,some work making up a Risk Assement Plan ( I can send you the one made for Westside as a template ?) A protocol where garbage cans ,signage (very important) as it will state the expectations of using the area. As well as some local riders/parents who will volunteer to keep the area clean/safe and do lip work or alterations needed.
I can't over estimate the power of the Parks and rec dept. or city officials get them onside and it will be cando!
pm me as this area evolves, I am hoping by next spring/summer we can do another redo ,it's only dirt and getting locals to buy in on dj's that won't be ripped down should be worth lots .
Were not a done deal here yet ,but so far everything is just so positive.
Once we get our opening day jam in tba and figure out the small stuff ,we can then think ahead.
Don't give up, it's doable.
gary pm me anytime

[brigusnf]

Thanks Gary.

[baloom]

I rode by at lunch time today (on my lunchtime, cardio, xc burn) and there was one lone rider enjoying the jumps. No groms, and the whole place to himself. This is the benefit of being a "grown up". Some times you get to have some fun in the middle of the day even if we "older guys" can't jump as well as the youngsters. Way to go bro....