By VIVIENNE NICOLL

PLANS have been drawn up to spend almost £1million to create a new BMX track at Knightswood and extend the mountain bike track at Cathkin Braes.

Next week, city councillors will be asked to approve spending on the two projects which will both be used during the European Championships to be held in the city next year.

The event is billed as the continent's greatest multi-sport event featuring seven sports and 4500 athletes battling it out in 10 days of competition.

If it gets the go-ahead, the BMX track will the first world and Olympic standard BMX track in Scotland and it is hoped it will provide a lasting legacy for the development of the sport.

The proposed site at Knightswood recreation ground is presently made up of blaes pitches which no longer meet current or future football demand.

The existing playpark and sports pitch on the edge of the site will remain.

A report from council leader Susan Aitken says the main track will accommodate riders of all ages and abilities with 8m and 5m start ramps for advanced riders.

There will also be a separate free learner track suitable for developing a programme of activities for all sorts of bikes.

Both the main and learner tracks will be floodlit to allow them to be used throughout the year.

On Thursday, members of the executive committee will be asked to contribute more than £320,000 towards the cost of the project.

And more than £600,000 is being requested to extend the existing mountain bike trails in Cathkin Braes Country Park to create a regional centre for mountain biking.

Work is presently under way to redevelop the former St Martin's Church to provide changing and toilet facilities for riders and bike maintenance workshops.

The former Mitchell Hill tower blocks site, which is presently lying derelict and vacant, will be developed to allow the extension of the existing mountain bike track.

It will cater for a variety of bike users from beginners to experienced riders.

The start and finish of the trail will be relocated closer to the Castlemilk community.

A report from Ms Aitken says: "The proposals will support grassroots development and coaching and enable the Regional Mountain Biking Centre to cater for all abilities."

It is expected work on the new BMX track and mountain bike extension will be finished by April next year.