By Travis Barton | [email protected]

Centennial Park has a new amenity on the way. 

The popular, nearly 78-acre park features playgrounds, tennis courts, pavilions, basketball courts, softball fields, bike racks and jogging paths. It hosts the annual WestFest celebrations each year and in 2016 installed the ever populated skate park on the west side. 

Until recently a dirt field could be found just north of the skate park, but not for long. 

The West Valley City Council recently approved unanimously the purchase and installation of a pump track. 

A what?

Used primarily by bikes, a pump track is a continuous loop of banks and turns that allows the rider to maneuver around the track without pedaling by utilizing control, balance and coordination. 

The success of the skate park has seen more than just skateboarders using it with bicyclists regularly riding through the skate park, Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Day told the city council. 

“This (pump track) is another amenity for (bikers) and it’s something that has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years across the country,” she said. 

Day expects the track to alleviate congestion in the skate park and increase safety for all participants. 

The track won’t just be for bikers though, but all wheeled users including skateboards, scooters and roller blades. Two tracks will be installed, a shorter one for beginners and a larger one for more advanced users. 

The track is also of a modular design meaning the shape of the track could be adjusted from time to time. 

“If they were to have some sort of event or competition, they could make a different design specifically for that particular group,” said Mayor Ron Bigelow. 

Members of the council not only approved the building of the pump track course, but were enthused about the prospect. 

“I was excited to see the skate park open, and I’m excited to see this,” said Councilman Steve Buhler. “And to bring more opportunities to especially our youth to exercise and have fun out there.” 

Funding for the track, just over $156,000, comes from park impact fees. 

Day said there are few other pump tracks in the state. The riding surface is ¼” fiberglass composite with custom no-slip riding surface, according to city documents. 

The track, to be made by American Ramp Company, is expected to last 10-15 years. Day estimated construction of the track would be completed in November.