03/03/2021
We have been receiving so many calls and text messages asking when we are planning to open the track for racing. Unfortunately, due to COVID 19 our track was prohibited from racing the majority of 2020, despite our best efforts to demonstrate to Broome County our ability to stay safe and "play" by all the COVID rules.
In the meantime, without any notice and without us providing authorization or permission, Broome County came to our facility, and found "safety issues" deeming the facility "unsafe", and gave us an eviction notice. Actually, it's important to note that we have had a variety of different reasons for the eviction. One being "safety issues", another stating that the "County wants to go in a different direction with the facility".
We requested a copy of the safety violations by filing a Freedom of Information Act, reviewed the "safety concerns", and found, in our opinion, nothing that would be a concern, in any way.
Regarding the statement that "the County is seeking to go in a different direction for the facility", as many of you may know, the building is in a flood zone and has been flooded on many occasions, so anything other than a BMX track would be questionable in this location.
Before sharing this information on Facebook, it is important to note that we have attempted, with very little success, reaching out to the Broome County "decision makers" attempting to explain what this track means to not only this community but the entire USA BMX racing family. It has literally fallen on deaf ears. We recently requested a tele meeting with Jason Garner, Broome County Executive, however, his office declined. It is our opinion, that misinformation has been cycling, in an effort to close down the track and evict us out of a facility that we have rented for the past 10 years. BMX racing has had a presence in the Broome County area for 40 years.
There has been a few "key players" within the County that have made the decision to evict us. Elizabeth Woidt - Director of Parks Recreation and Youth Services (607-778-2193) and Leslie Boulton - Commissioner of Public Works (607-778-2490).
We have put so much love, time, and energy building a track that allows racing throughout the entire year. We cannot simply give up now. We are the only indoor BMX facility in the entire Northeast.
Please join us for a meeting to discuss our status further, answer additional questions and hopefully come up with a solution that can help to save our Grippen Park BMX Track.
Date - Saturday March 6, 2021 @ 6:30 PM
Location: Oakdale Mall 601 Harry L Drive, Johnson City, NY (In the former Bon Ton Department Store) - (enter by Main Doors from Parking Lot).
Masks are required, and we will be practicing social distancing.