Whitney Mesa BMX track offering residents a chance at little-understood sport

After constructing its newest BMX track, the city of Henderson hopes to catch residents riding dirty.

City officials celebrated the grand opening of the Whitney Mesa BMX Track, 1575 Galleria Drive, April 26 with residents and riders.

The 3-acre, USA BMX-sanctioned facility is all downhill with asphalt turns, a wall ride and a pump track. Funded with the Resident Construction Tax and a grant from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, the $600,000 project also includes covered spectator seating and a concession area.

“With BMX growing in popularity, we are thrilled to provide this venue for riders of all ages and abilities,” Mayor Andy Hafen said in a press release. “The sport of BMX helps teach kids about setting and reaching goals and helps to develop strong minds and bodies. The Whitney Mesa BMX track is a true asset for our residents and to our premier parks system.”

Local cycling personalities supported the park’s opening, including North Las Vegas resident Ricardo Laguna and Henderson resident Connor Fields.

Laguna, 33, said he tested the track before it was opened to the public.

“My jaw dropped when I saw it. The city spent good money where it was needed,” he said. “They have a top-of-the-line start gate and asphalt turns. It’s great.”

A Mexico transplant, Laguna started riding at 13 after he met some teens jumping bikes in the desert in North Las Vegas.

“I didn’t speak any English, but they invited me to a nearby track, and I was like a kid in a candy store,” Laguna said. “I begged my mom for a bike, and she got me the most terrible one, but I treated it like gold.”

Among a list of awards and reality TV appearances, the Eldorado High School graduate was named the South American King of Dirt and had a track named for him in his hometown.

“My advice is not to get discouraged. Some people think extreme sports cause extreme problems, but that’s not the case,” Laguna said. “The track is safe, and people are always watching. It’s a family-oriented sport that anyone can participate in, whether you’re a boy or a girl.”

Fields, 22, said he became engrossed in the BMX world after participating in team-oriented sports.

“I was into all kinds of sports as a kid, but I’m super competitive and hated relying on a team. I was in the kid in Little League yelling at everyone to hustle,” he said. “I got into BMX because it’s an individual sport. Whether I win or lose, it’s all on me.”

The Green Valley High School graduate has competed in numerous championships, including placing first in two UCI BMX World Championships and the 2013 World Cup. He also competed in the 2012 Olympics in London.

“It’s been 15 years of hard work and sacrifice,” Fields said. “I became an elite athlete at 16, which meant skipping prom and hanging out with my friends to attend events or practice.

“I think my phone automatically responds to every invite with, ‘Sorry, I can’t. I have practice.’ ”

While studying business part-time at UNLV, Fields continues to practice and compete so he can attend the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

“The Whitney Mesa BMX Track will give kids a place to grow and develop in the sport,” Fields said. “It is possible to be an Olympian from Southern Nevada if you work hard enough for it.”

The track is open for practice from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Races are held Mondays and Saturdays with registration from 6 to 7 p.m. and 10 to 11 a.m., respectively.

For more information, visit cityofhenderson.com/parks.

To contact Henderson View reporter Caitlyn Belcher, email cbelcher@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0403. Find her on twitter: @caitlynbelcher.