The money will be used to tar the corners of three berms or embankment, making it a much better track.

The club believes the high quality of the track will raise racing standards considerably and bring riders into Maitland from across the state and the ACT.

“Our track is owned by Maitland City Council, but our club must maintain it, both for riders and for our community,” Maitland-Tenambit BMX Club publicity officer Sarah Davis said.   

“We have around 250 members and this grant is excellent news for us – it would have been really tough if we had not got it. 

“Our track is very high maintenance. 

“It takes about 1000 hours of ­manual labour each year preparing it and our volunteers do all the work.

“This is a great deal of time our volunteers have given.

“We also had to pay for the cost of materials for resurfacing and, if we had a lot of rain, this cost could be as high as $8000.

“Compared to other tracks in the state, we were one of the few that did not have tarred berms.”

Members greeted the news of the grant as exciting. 

“This is also a very safe place for kids to race and members must have a licence and some insurance to cover them,” Ms Davis said.

“We were made aware of the grants process that was coming up by Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison.”

Ms Aitchison said she  believed the club deserved the grant.

“Police also say it is a great attraction for youngsters and their families,” she said.

“And I learnt this club had built a clubhouse, costing $120,000, out of their own funds.”