WINONA LAKE — The 20th annual Fat & Skinny Tire Fest, which arrives Friday, May 16, has maxed out in the number of activities and space for now, but that will likely expand in coming years.

Part of future growth is connected to the proposed Winona Lake Bike Park along Pierceton Road, which already accommodates several events during Fat & Skinny but recently moved into a faster gear after supporters learned that Grace College would use part of its $27 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to support construction of the bike park.

The proposed park, which is directly adjacent to the Winona Lake trail system, is being pursued by the Kosciusko County Velo, which organizes Fat & Skinny.

According to the KCV website, the project will lengthen the trail system around a world-class bike park with a pump track, skills lines, and a bike playground to develop skills for riders of all ages.

KCV informed members of Grace College's support in a newsletter, but no formal announcement has been made.

Two leaders of KCV talked about the development earlier this week for In The Know, the public affairs show that airs this weekend on Kensington Digital Media radio stations and this week highlighted plans for Fat & Skinny.

A final figure has not ben announced and fundraising continues but Mike Cursick, president of KCV, says the dollar fitgure is big enough that construction will likely begin somewhat soon.

"It's very exciting news and we think it's going to cover well over half of the construction of the bike park, but right now, we're working on our next fundraisng goals because with that grant and some additional fundraising, we believe we're going to fund the entire park," Cusick said.

He said site preparation — mainly moving dirt — is expected to happen this summer.

Design work is almost finished, but full construction will likely take a few years.

Greg Demopoulos, another member of KCV and a co-director of Fat & Skinny, said the bike park will eventually provide another component to the bike fest.

"Our hope is that we can add some events to it — something like an asphalt pump track," Demopoulos said. "There are times of the year when we have to close the trails because they're too muddy. But having an asphalt pump track allows people to use that year-round, and that also opens the door for additional events."

[caption id="attachment_109760" align="aligncenter" width="1042"] The future bike park already serves as a trailhead. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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