“That canteen was our sole source of income,” Dickinson said, “and obviously since then, we haven’t been able to spend as much money or create as much money coming in as we’d like to.”
Fire service at Waitakere BMX track following blaze. Photo / Michael Craig
He said the canteen was the “lifeblood” of club nights and without it those events have felt “soulless.”
Rider Toni James took gold in the Masters Women’s competition at the 2026 Oceania Continental Championships in Brisbane, while other junior riders made finals appearances.
“We’re super proud of everybody’s achievements. I think everybody that went, talking to all the parents, they said we were punching well above our weight.”
Dickinson said the results have brought a “buzz” back to the club, but the club’s spirits have been lifted further with the rebuilding of the canteen.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand attended the blaze at the Waitākere BMX track. Photo / Michael Craig
“It’s been completely gutted and stripped and rebuilt, lots of people and club members and committee members have given up their time and pulled strings with their businesses and things and it’s up and running.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s a few teething problems we’ve got to go through, but apart from that, it’s up and running and back to where it was and dare I say, it’s probably better than it was before.”
Dickinson felt the return of the canteen has shown the club has “risen from the flames”.
Focus has turned back to competitions, with the World Championships in Brisbane coming up in July, but Dickinson believes some riders could have Olympic dreams.
“We have got some very, very talented young riders, keeping them in the sport, keeping them interested and keeping the focus as they get older.
”I think if the group of young individuals that we have at the minute, if they carry on the way they’re going, we are going to have some very, very talented young riders for the world stage, whether it’s the World Championships or the Olympics and beyond."
