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BMX track to have grand opening Saturday

It's been open since Aug. 26, and technically open every day, but No Regular Track's BMX facility at the end of Dixie Drive in Chester will have its formal grand opening on Saturday.

The grand opening will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature giveaways, prizes and food and drinks for sale.

Developed by Uptown Barbers owners Brad Coleman and Tony Lochhead, along with a crew of others that includes Jeff Krieg, Ron Coleman and Andrew Fehnsenfeld, the BMX track is open to anyone who would like to use it and is part of No Regular Gathering (NRG)'s overall philosophy of community service.

"My son was starting to ride his bike and on a whim, I came in (to Uptown Barbers) and asked Tony if he wanted to build a BMX track," Coleman said.

Coleman noted the pair wanted to offer something that the children who don't participate in organized sports could do. Construction started in July and after more than 1,000 man hours and 580 tons of dirt, the BMX track was born.

"We're just trying to do as much for the community as possible," Coleman said.

The track was designed by Fehnsenfeld, who is a former BMX rider himself on the national scene. Brett Frazer, of Frazer Excavating in Chester, sold the dirt for a discounted price of $80 per ton.

"He cut us a discounted rate because he heard it was for the kids," Coleman said.

The donations didn't stop there. Knight Hawk Coal donated $1,000 toward the cost of the dirt, while Chester resident J.D. Maes offered use of his tractor to move it.

A representative from Monster Energy drinks has donated a variety of Monster Energy-themed products, including T-shirts, to use as giveaways for the grand opening. A bike will also be given away on Saturday.

As far as response goes, Coleman said 75 people have signed the required waiver to use the track, which has no admission fee. He added that riders age from 7 years old up to the mid-60s.

"Some dads have signed up too," Coleman said.

The land itself is owned by Grace Church Ministries, which is letting NRT use the land with permission. Coleman said the use of the church land allows the track to be included as part of the church's insurance umbrella, with a $60 liability fee as long as the track is not used for skateboarding or motorized vehicles.

"We just have a heart for the kids that don't play sports and don't have anywhere to ride," Coleman said.

All riders must sign a waiver and have a sticker placed on their bikes before being allowed to use the track. Helmets are also mandatory.

No Regular Track has a Facebook group (NRT Chester) that lists the rules, as well as the waiver form. Waivers and stickers can also be obtained at Uptown Barbers.

As far as what lies in the future for the track, Coleman said he would like to see it grow into timed races.

"I think the city is going to put a water fountain in and oil and chip the road for better access to the track," he said.

For more information or questions about the track, text 618-615-1072 or 618-615-1217.