As we enter the time of year where the darkness seems to come earlier and earlier, the City of SeaTac is fighting back with a brand-new lighting installation to illuminate their BMX racecourse. King County Parks awarded a Parks Capital & Open Space grant worth $258,196 to the City of SeaTac in 2023. Last week, they unveiled the new lighting to BMX racers of all ages and held their very first post-sunset race.
For the last 43 years, these BMX riders were not only racing against each other, they were in a race against the sun, especially late in the season. These lights will allow SeaTac BMX to expand their hours, operate later into the year, and host more national competitions.
“I think the kids are going to be amazed when they see the lights come on, because I was amazed,” said track operator Jamie Stenson. “I’ve been to a lot of tracks around the country that have lights, and I know the impact that lighting can have on a facility like this. When it’s your track, in your city, in your community, when the lights come on for the first time, it gives you so much pride that this is the track that you call home.”
The BMX track is operated in partnership between the SeaTac Parks Department and the volunteer-run nonprofit SeaTac BMX. The track operators host several weekly races, coach teams of riders looking to improve their skills, and provide space for kids new to the sport give it a try. One area they have focused on in the last few years is getting more girls and women involved in the sport by creating the Ladies League, a free women and girls only clinic.
“At SeaTac BMX, we try to build an inclusive, fun, inviting atmosphere and what this facility does is allows kids to come here and be themselves,” Stenson said. “It allows them to be active, they get to be outside, get to ride their bikes and just have fun.”
This grant was made possible by the King County Parks Levy, which supports $110 million in grants across the county. Learn more about the Parks Grants program and see a full list of Levy grant awards.