Redmond BMX-Track Thieves Hit More Than Race

Five starting gates were stolen last weekend at the Smith Rock BMX Bike Club track in Redmond. But now, several days later, the members of the club are facing a depressing reality — and it?s not about the damage.

“Don’t give up hope. Just always try and fight through it, and there’s always people out there who care for you,” BMX racer C.J. Phillips said Thursday.

It’s not about the pieces of the starting gate that were stolen.

“I really wouldn’t know how to explain to him that it might not happen,” said Brian Phillips, the BMX track manager.

It’s about helping Dominic, a 10-year-old Redmond boy battling leukemia.

“We were undergoing chemo and he was getting platelet infusions and stuff — anyway, he ended up coughing up blood,” said April Landin, Dominic?s mother.

Within minutes, five doctors were in the room. It took almost 20 minutes to stop the bleeding.

“We’ve spent six months in the hospital, undergoing aggressive chemo,” said Landin.

Dominic is still at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, but he’s doing well. He can come home to Redmond, traveling back to Portland once a month for treatments.

On June 9th, he is set to be the guest of honor at the Smith Rock BMX Bike Club’s Race for Life. But that could be in jeopardy after five of the eight brand new diamond-plated starting gates, needed to safely race on the track, were stolen last weekend.

“They’re taking away from the community. They’re taking away from the kids,” said Phillips.

It will cost between $1,000 and $1,500 to fix the gates. A Smith Rock BMX fund to replace the gates has been set up at Bank of the Cascades.

Even if it has to move to Bend, the race, much like Dominic’s fight, will go on.

“We are still going to do everything we can to make it happen,” said Phillips.

Landin added, “I can’t express how much gratitude that I have for everybody helping us the way that they have. It’s made my heart melt.”

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact the sheriff?s office at (541) 388-6655 or by the sheriff?s Website at sheriff.deschutes.org. You can also use the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS, or the Crime Stopper?s page at KTVZ.COM. You can remain anonymous, and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Meanwhile, word comes on the Smith Rock BMX Facebook page (their Website is down for redesign) of a donation account set up in the park’s name at Bank of the Cascades.