Mountain Biking Facility

SYNOPSIS

It has been well-documented that citizens of South Cumberland region are in need of new, enjoyable, healthy options for exercise. Other areas of the Southeast have found great success in improving fitness by creating Trail Mountain Bike (“TMB”) facilities, which can be enjoyed both by local citizens, as well as by visitors.

PROJECT STATUS

This Project has been presented to Savage Gulf State Park (“SGSP”) management, which has tentatively offered a location for the TMB facility, on a portion of a recently-logged, 1100-acre tract on the south side of the State Park, north of Gruetli-Laager. Preliminary discussions of support have also been made with the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance, whose 45-mile rails-to-trails project will pass within two miles of the site; and with representatives of several local and regional TMB organizations, which could provide, in part, the design expertise and volunteer labor to help move the project forward.

OPPORTUNITIES

• As described above, a number of stakeholders have already expressed general interest in, and support for this Project.  

• There are likely additional TMB entities that could be engaged, either for facility construction or start-up funding.

• A competition-grade facility of this type can bring in additional and significant visitor spending with multi-day, multi-class Mountain Biking events.

CHALLENGES

• SGSP management has made clear it cannot be responsible for build-out of the TMB facility, nor for its ongoing management.  

• Financial assistance from TMB advocacy organizations or other outside philanthropy may be needed to initially fund hiring of a concessionaire or other operator that could manage and maintain the completed TMB facility.

PROJECT NEEDS

• A Project Coordinator is needed to conduct outreach to the multiple TMB advocacy as well as potential Project funders.  

• TMB advocacy groups will need to be engaged, to provide the design expertise and volunteer labor necessary for construction.