Thanks to Rotary Club of Whistler, with support from the Rotary Club of Whistler Millenium, and The Rotary Foundation through a District Grant, a new bike park has just opened at Bayly Park to provide a community gathering space for Cheakamus Crossing residents. The renovated park builds on the former facility operated by Whistler BMX, which closed in 2024. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has since taken over operations and revitalized the bike park. – Story courtesy of Liz McDonald, Pique Newsmagazine, Whistler; photo by Ken Martin
While riders hone their skills, friends, caregivers and spectators can now gather at a new plaza funded by the Rotary Club of Whistler. Located between the skills area and the Cheakamus Community Garden, the plaza features picnic tables, benches, a concession stand, bike stands, a repair station and newly planted trees.
Whistler’s public infrastructure is concentrated closer to the Village, so the project is a welcome addition to a neighbourhood made up almost entirely of full-time residents, said Rotary Club of Whistler treasurer Ken Martin.
“One of the challenges in Whistler is so much of the park space is tourist-oriented, right? And we could invest in that, but it's just so nice to be able to invest in a growing, 99-per-cent-local neighbourhood with lots of young families and kids,” Martin said.
The project grew out of Rotary’s mandate to provide amenities that strengthen community connection. In addition to the investment of countless volunteer hours, the $73,000 bike park project was made possible by the Rotary Club of Whistler, which provided $28,000, The Rotary Foundation which provided an additional $20.000 through a District Grant, Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium $5,000, Cheakamus residents Mary and Doug Forseth, $15,000, and Olwen Kuiper and her partner Frank Papenburg provided $5,000 of landscaping services. Concrete was donated by Amrize Concrete.
“[The RMOW] thought this would be a perfect place to add some amenities for the community to gather and have a good time,” Martin said. “This is going to be the perfect place to have a party.”
Once the snow melts, he said he hopes to see neighbourhood block parties with barbecues, kids playing and residents gathering to build stronger community bonds.
While the RMOW and Rotary Club of Whistler were major contributors, the project was made possible through a wide network of community partners.
The club provided $28,000, Rotary International contributed $20,000, and the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium added $5,000. Cheakamus residents Mary and Doug Forseth donated $15,000, while Olwen Kuiper and her partner Frank Papenburg provided landscaping services. Concrete was donated by Amrize Concrete.
The RMOW and several local suppliers also provided support and discounted services, including Whistler Irrigation, PK EX, Cutting Edge Signs, Rona, High Country Landscaping, Lepcal Design and GB Concrete.
“We’ve had hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours go into this—doing the fencing, the concrete forms, painting the shed. Even Whistler Blackcomb staff came out to help paint,” Martin said. “The whole intent is to involve the community and make a community space.”
Next phase: bike skills park
With Rotary’s portion of the project complete, RMOW crews are wrapping up work on the adjacent bike skills area. Some of the former BMX track infrastructure, including the start mound and first turn, will remain in place. New jumps of varying difficulty have been built using existing materials, and a dirt pump track is being added.
In a written statement, the RMOW said the dirt jumps were redesigned and rebuilt this summer with help from local riders. “Due to rain and wet conditions, the jumps will remain closed for the winter,” the municipality said. “They are expected to open in the spring once the site has dried and final touches have been made.”
The overall footprint of the park remains the same, and the former Whistler BMX group has donated proceeds from the sale of equipment and materials, along with tools and storage items, to support the new facility.
Bayly Park spans 8.45 hectares on the former municipal landfill site and features volleyball and seasonal tennis courts, trail access, an off-leash dog area and a sports field.
While the official grand opening is planned for spring 2026, Whistlerites are unlikely to wait that long. With fall conditions still holding in Cheakamus Crossing, the new plaza—and soon, the revamped bike park—are already shaping up to be the neighbourhood’s newest gathering spot.