On the central mountain Gruvberget in Boden, it is now clear that Boden’s Cycling Club’s (formerly CK Sävast) new construction of a paved pump track will become a reality. With a total budget of SEK 5,562 million, construction will start in spring 2024.
One of the areas now covered by the ongoing area development in the municipality is Gruvberget. Last spring, the local Bodens Cykelklubb received SEK 4,387,000 in support from Arvsfonden (the General Heritage Fund) for plans for the property Sävast 5:3. A prerequisite for being able to implement the cycling club’s project to build a competition-approved so-called pump track was the completion of village funds. This has now been approved by the municipality of Boden and granted by the County Administrative Board. Rural development funding is granted at 17 percent of retrospectively verified and approved costs for the construction of the pump track on Gruvberget. The maximum amount that can be awarded as a grant is SEK 975,000. The project is also part-financed by Boden´s Cykelklubb and the Swedish Sports Confederation.
“This means we can start as soon as possible after the winter. It will be a fantastic development for outdoor recreation and cycling in Boden. The area will attract both local residents and visitors. The mountain bike arena at Gruvberget will contribute to Boden’s fantastic development and provide meaningful leisure time for many”, says Jesper Kallin, chairman of the club.
The focus so far has been on trail cycling with four different levels of difficulty. What is now being planned is a paved pump track that will provide opportunities for technical training and fun. It will be central to the arena as a competition center with parking and start/finish lines.
The new track will be the hub of cycling on Gruvberget while the club continues to develop trail cycling in the surrounding area. The planned main loop will be 183 meters, there will be a kids loop of 58 meters and a total area of 2110 square meters.
The aim of the project is to create a place where children and young people can meet and cycle in their free time. The facility is primarily intended for spontaneous use, but it will also offer organized cycling training.
“A collaboration with the Fritidsbank in Boden also provides the opportunity to borrow bicycles for those who do not have their own”, explains the club.
Construction of the pump track will start in spring 2024 and will be built by Velosolutions.
The county administrative board considers that the investment is for purposes that benefit the community by promoting public health. Boden Municipality sees this as a very important effort that harmonizes well with the development plan produced for the Gruvberget outdoor environment.
The municipality of Boden already has a conservation and development plan for Gruvberget, developed in dialog with associations and residents in the area. The plan looks towards 2030 and describes an overall picture of the future of Gruvberget. The conservation and development plan and the planned cycling project are now being incorporated into the methodical ongoing work that the municipality of Boden is carrying out by collecting and processing views from different ages, places and residents in our municipality. This work forms the basis for continued area development of attractive housing and living environments in the municipality’s community planning. This is what enables what we in Boden call “närhetsliv” – where you are close to everything you need and more.
Photo: Mats Engfors, Fotographic
