Steve Smith dreamed of building a bike park in Nanaimo, the city where he grew up and perfected his craft of racing.

The cycling champion died in a tragic motorcycle crash on May 10, but family and friends are keeping his memory alive by turning Smith’s dream into a reality.

The 26-year-old, who was nicknamed the “Canadian Chainsaw,” was a decorated athlete winning three world cups.

According to his mom, racing was more than just a passion, it was his life.

“When he was younger we’d always go to different dirt jumps around the area or in search of them,” Smith’s mom Tianna Smith told CTV News.

That’s why it’s exciting the park is finally coming together, she says.

“I’d rather be doing it with him than for him,” Tianna said. “He wanted this for a long time and now it’s happening, but not for a reason I want.”

Even without his presence, Smith’s legacy will live on after council approved the construction of a new bike park in his name.

"When we went to council that was part of the ask, was to have the park named after Stevie Smith as Stevie had a great relationship with this area, through BMX as everyone knows, that's where he got his start,” family friend Michelle Corfield said.

The new space is expected to cost $400,000 and will be jointly funded by the city, the Gyro Club of Nanaimo and the Stevie Smith Legacy Fund.

It’ll be built in three phases – a dirt jump, pump track and skills track.

"The first phase is a dirt jump, which is a series of ramps, which could be considered the same as a skate park for bikes,” Jim Thompson with the Gyro Club of Nanaimo said. “It'll be a series of ramps and jumps. There will be three lines from easy to more difficult."

The park will also be a space for Smith’s friends and family to go and remember the competitor.

“We are building it in his honour, in his memory. It’s a place where all of us can come and remember,” Corfield said.

Smith’s mom said the bike park will also help keep her busy as her son’s death continues to sink in.

“I think with the bike park and the foundation, it’ll help with the healing, allow me to keep him alive,” she said.

Construction of the new bike park will begin in the fall and it’s expected to be completed by summer 2017.