Want to learn more about proposed motocross facility in Volusia County? Here's your chance

Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

People can learn more about Volusia County's tentative plans to build a motocross facility in the area at an event this month.

The county will host an open house from 5-7 p.m. on April 23 at the Tomoka Landfill operations center at 1990 Tomoka Farms Road in Port Orange, County Manager George Recktenwald said.

"It will not be a formal presentation, but we will have storyboards and people set up that people can go by," he said. "They can ask questions, talk to folks who are familiar with the project and leave some comments there so we can incorporate them as we go forward with the project."

The motocross facility is being proposed west of Tomoka Farms Road and south of Shunz Road.

District 1 County Councilman Don Dempsey is leading the effort on the council to bring a motocross facility to Volusia County.

The County Council hasn't voted yet to build the project. In February the council voted to get more information on options for moving forward ― the county could build and operate the track on its own or form some a public-private partnership.

Paxton Zivitski, 13, of Ormond Beach, makes a 50-foot leap at a private motocross track on Sept. 12. Paxton was one of 7 boys from Volusia and Putnam counties training to ride dirt bikes and getting ready for competitions.
Paxton Zivitski, 13, of Ormond Beach, makes a 50-foot leap at a private motocross track on Sept. 12. Paxton was one of 7 boys from Volusia and Putnam counties training to ride dirt bikes and getting ready for competitions.

A feasibility study by Hunden Strategic Partners looked at a facility with two full-sized competitive motocross tracks, a minimum of 50 RV slips with electric and water hookups, 750 general parking spaces, concession and bathroom facilities and a training facility or pro shop. The firm estimated the construction cost to be over $10 million.

Dempsey said Tuesday that he believes a facility could be built for about $2 million or less. Dempsey said he would not vote for the project if it costs $10 million.

"But I do think if we're paying a couple million for pickleball routinely that $2 million is nothing to ask for the kids who enjoy offroad dirt biking when there's nowhere to go in the county," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Motocross track could be built in Volusia. Open house to bring update.