Elgin BMX track opens Saturday after tumultuous year

A new season kicks off Saturday for the BMX track in Elgin after a tumultuous 2014.

The general consensus is everything is, well, right on track.

A new nonprofit association led by Indiana-based track operator Jackie Altizer now runs The Hill BMX with the help of about 20 local volunteers - all riders and riders' parents - many of whom had distanced themselves from the former track operators whose sanction agreement was revoked.

Elgin BMX Riders Association Inc., formed in February, obtained Illinois nonprofit status and intends to seek federal 501(c)3 status, Altizer said.

"We have put in some fail-safes in place at the parks (and recreation department's) request and for my own peace of mind," she said, "and because of USA BMX's desire to have an organization that has some kind of accountability."

Three volunteer committees are devoted to races and registration, concessions and special events, and financial and legal issues, she said. There also is an advisory council. "We've got a good core of people," she said. "There's tracks within the area (the volunteers) could go to and devote their time, but they've chosen to stick with The Hill."

The track's previous operators, Jim and Jenna Barton of Belvidere, had their sanction revoked in July by BMX USA, who said the Bartons failed to submit payments and race-related paperwork on time. Altizer stepped in about two weeks later at the request of the city of Elgin, which owns The Hill at 709 Sports Way in the Elgin Sports Complex.

The track's finances were in disarray with at least $20,000 missing from the books, but it's unclear what happened, Altizer said. Any vendors who called saying they were owed money were directed to the Bartons, she said.

The Bartons - who had said bad conditions made it hard to run the track - denied any wrongdoing last year. They could not be reached for comment Friday.

The track was ranked by USA BMX last among tracks in Illinois in August, but by the end of the season in October it was ranked third, Altizer said. All it took was good maintenance and sound bookkeeping, Altizer said.

"We paid all our bills, had money left at the end of the year and gave awards to the kids for their efforts," she said.

Maria Cumpata, the city's recreation and facilities superintendent, said things have been going well at the track since Altizer took over. The city ensures general safety there but performs little maintenance other than mowing large areas, Cumpata said.

The new BMX association is expected to sign a five-year lease that will have to be approved by the city council, she said. That might be on the agenda for the first meeting in May, she said. "We look forward to a successful year out there," she said.

USA BMX Track Director Cody Wilson said the Elgin track "is thriving, doing well and growing by the day." The Bartons still owe money to the organization, he said.

Martin Michalski of Schaumburg, a BMX rider who serves on the new board alongside Altizer, said there's a renewed sense of optimism among riders and parents after last year's ups and downs. His brother Thomas Michalski of Elgin is also a rider, he said.

"Jackie really knows what she's doing," Martin Michalski said.

"Nobody's in here at all thinking, 'There is money to be made.' Everyone knows this is for their kids, and in my case, for my future kids, and for me and my brother."

Altizer said she's planning to hand over the reins of the operation to the volunteers, likely after this season.

"I don't plan on being around long-term," she said. "My goal this year is to get this organization off running strong and able to act without my help."