River Valley BMX was approved for a $100k loan from the city for safety and quality of life updates to the city’s 30-year-old track during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

NEW ULM – New Ulm’s BMX track will soon receive additional safety and track redesign improvements thanks to a $100,000 loan approved by the City.

Tuesday, the New Ulm City Council unanimously approved a $100,000 loan agreement with River Valley BMX. The loan is at zero interest and has a 15 year term for payback.

For over 20 years, the River Valley BMX association has leased the BMX park at 314 S. 3rd street to host races, tournaments, and events on the premise. The BMX track was created in 1995. Park and Rec director Joey Schugel said River Valley BMX began leasing the park for races shortly after it was created.

“Our River Valley BMX association has done a lot of work on the track,” Schugel said. “Now, if they want to expand and offer larger races, they would need a redesign. This funding would help them do that.”

The loan request was previously presented to and approved by the New Ulm’s Park and Recreation Commission. It was also presented to council during a September work session. During the work session River Valley BMX board member Tallen Wald said the reason redesign was needed. He said it was a safety improvement to make the track and some of the turns wider. Extra lights and a new start gate will add safety.

The city council was in full support of this loan. Councilor Les Schultz praised the BMX events for offering events for all ages.

Schugel confirmed BMX races feature riders still learning to use pedal bikes all they way up to riders in their 70s.

Mayor Kathleen Backer thanked River Valley BMX for all the things the association had done to improve the park. She said it was a great partnership between this private group and the city of New Ulm.

Council President Andrea Boettger thanked the BMX association for how the approach the loan process.

“You guys went about this the right way,” she said. “You had all the information together, you made it very easy [for us]. The fact that you are not only investing in the park, but making improvements that will attract new audience and more people here for different competitions is really great.”

Councilor Larry Mack said he was excited to see special interest groups looking to reinvent in New Ulm and keep the community unique.

“It is a unique thing that we have and are able to offer in New Ulm,” councilor Eric Warmka said. “I do appreciate the work it takes to keep it operating. Let’s find a way to help them make it better.”

Warmka made a motion to approve the license agreement, which was unanimously approved by the council.

Councilor David Christian gave a reminded that even though River Valley BMX association leased the park for races, the park was owned by the city and was open to the public outside of races and tournaments.