Alberton BMX Club, operational since the 1980s, is one of South Africa’s oldest BMX tracks and a training ground for world-class riders.

Now under the leadership of former rider and current chairman Kyle Dodd, the club is facing urgent repairs, safety issues, and financial challenges that threaten its future.

A home for Olympians

“I’ve been involved in BMX my whole life; this club has been my home since I was three. It’s the only club in the country to produce three Olympic BMX riders: Sifiso Nhlapho in 2008 and 2012, myself in 2016, and Alex Lindbergh in 2021. Meanda Maseti, who also trains here, has used this facility, too,” Dodd said.

Dodd took over as chairperson in mid-2025 when the club was at risk of closing.

“It was heartbreaking to think this facility could just disappear. It’s been a home for so many riders, and we’re working to restore it to what it used to be,” he said.

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For families like Trisha Francey, whose husband was a rider and whose daughter has started racing here, the club is about community and childhood memories.

“Watching the kids engage, make friends, and enjoy riding; that’s what the track is all about,” Francey said.

Safety challenges

Located in an industrial area, the club has struggled with theft and vandalism.

Security has been improved with cameras, alarms, and on-site staff, but Dodd warns it’s not enough.

“Some parents don’t want to send their kids here because they feel unsafe. Ideally, we’d have electric fencing, but costs are huge,” he said.

Weather and infrastructure damage have also taken a toll. Heavy rains have washed away track sand, eroded corners, and damaged the start hill and finish line.

Clubhouse repairs are needed, including broken windows, bent gates, deteriorating fascia boards, and damaged locks.

Tar surfaces need patching, and resurfacing quotes have come in at over R140 000.

Grass, maintenance, and municipal support

Grass management has become a major challenge.

“We used to have the municipality cut the grass weekly, but it hasn’t happened in over five years,” Dodd said. “We’ve had to buy lawn mowers and weed eaters ourselves. Even with that, it’s impossible to keep up with the overgrowth.”

The club has a few community members who have committed themselves to keeping the club open. Around 10 families regularly volunteer to cut grass, paint the clubhouse, and maintain the track.

Sponsorship for petrol-powered lawn mowers or sit-on mowers would significantly help.

Financial struggles

The club relies on hosting races, running events, and fundraising days such as annual golf days to fund repairs and maintenance.

Cancellation of the national BMX event, previously scheduled for July and now moved to March 2027, has affected revenue from food, drinks, and merchandise sales.

“Without events, it’s harder to pay for water, lights, and security. Every rand that comes into the club is monitored. We keep spending transparent, with 10 to 15 people overseeing it, so nothing is wasted,” Dodd explained.

Urgent repairs

According to Dodd, the club’s urgent needs include resurfacing corners, start hill, and finish line, replacing washed-away sand around the track, managing overgrown grass with proper equipment, fixing clubhouse fascia boards, windows, and locks, and installing or repairing gates and lighting poles.

“These are small things individually, but together they determine whether the track is safe and functional. If we fail, BMX SA could remove events, and the track could eventually die. It would be heart-breaking, especially considering its history and the Olympians it produced,” Dodd said.

Dodd and the community are calling for support in the form of financial donations, material sponsorships such as sand, paint, and equipment, volunteers for maintenance and clean-up, and companies willing to assist with repairs, lighting, and track resurfacing.

People who wish to donate can call Trisha Francey at 064 539 4869.

The riders’ perspective

For young riders, the track is more than just a facility; it’s their only training option.

One 10-year-old rider shared, “It will be sad to see it close. This is the only track we can come to; the next closest is Kempton Park.”

Despite the challenges, Alberton BMX Club remains determined.

Nationals are scheduled for March 2027, and the team is committed to ensuring the track is ready.

“We’ve got a dedicated community willing to sacrifice weekends to keep this place running. The track holds a special place in all our hearts, and seeing new riders enjoy it, that’s everything.”