Palmerston North enters bidding war for indoor velodrome

CYCLING

JONATHAN CAMERON/ Manawatu Standard

IF WE BUILD IT: Ian Warrington points out the potential site for a new velodrome at Massey University.

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Palmerston North has entered a bidding war to have a $15 million indoor velodrome built in the city.

Massey University is the proposed site for the arena, which could be multipurpose with tennis courts in the middle.

Recently Sport & Recreation New Zealand (Sparc) called for applications from North Island cities to be the home of a new velodrome.

The only indoor track in New Zealand is in Invercargill and there have been suggestions a more central site is needed to host training camps and national events.

A Sparc consultant was in Palmerston North last week to review the site which will be next to the Sport and Rugby Institute at the back of Massey.

Massey University regional chief executive Ian Warrington said Palmerston North had a strong application.

"The case certainly shapes up when you look at it and tick the boxes," he said.

"I think we have a hugely compelling case."

The velodrome would be a boost for the city, which has a strong cycling background.

Manawatu's Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven are top track cyclists and would love the opportunity to race quality events in their home province.

Massey University is behind the proposal, which features the input of former top cyclist Steve Stannard, now the university's director of sport and exercise.

On site there are top testing facilities, nutritional advice, recovery rooms and accommodation for athletes and support staff. There is also the Sport and Rugby Institute, as well as the Massey Recreation Centre.

The Manawatu Standard understands the other bidders are Auckland, Hastings and Wanganui (which has an uncovered wooden track).

Manawatu has other factors going for it to enhance the bid, such as a strong cycling community, great facilities outside the velodrome and a central location within the North Island.

The site at Massey is ready to go and Warrington said resource consents would be a formality, and building could begin if it was given the go ahead.

There was a meeting at Massey yesterday with the major players in the operation, including Sport Manawatu, Massey, the Palmerston North City Council and the Manawatu District Council.

Also discussed was putting the finishing touches to a second business plan which has to be submitted to Sparc by the end of the month before independent reviewers assess which application is best.

Money is the bottom line, though, and all interested parties are likely to invest in the venture, including Sparc.

Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie said they would potentially contribute a small amount.

"I think it's a very exciting opportunity for us and it's one we've got to push on with, with some haste," he said.

"It's been something that's been talked about in our community for a while now.

"The velodrome absolutely fits with what we are about."

- © Fairfax NZ News