Manchester Velodrome Repairs To Cost £26m
Manchester City Council have reported that the essential repairs to Manchester Velodrome will cost £26m if it is to secure its long-term future and avoid future closures.
The prestigious complex which forms part of the National Cycling Centre, serves as British Cycling’s headquarters, and is considered the most important ‘legacy outcome’ of Manchester’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2002.
It has also been pivotal in the continued successes of Great Britain at Olympic, Paralympic and World Championships sporting the world’s finest and fastest board tracks attracting four million people to the centre since it opened in 1994.
Whilst Manchester council insists the Velodrome is structurally sound, a report warned last year that if ‘catastrophic failings’ closed the wider campus, the city would suffer reputational damage and would struggle to attract future investment and events.
During the past 28 years the Velodrome has been used extensively, however now much of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) facilities have reached the point of natural replacement together additional work which is required on the roof.
In January the leadership team also approved plans to spend £32m repairing Manchester Aquatics Centre, again a national centre and flagship facility left over from the Commonwealth Games which required much needed remedial work and modernising to retain its status within the world of Aquatics whilst also supporting the city's sporting reputation.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “The National Cycling Centre is an incredible asset for this city, a unique place where Manchester people get to share the same facilities as elite cyclists.
“As the home of the Great Britain cycling team, who we will be cheering on in the Olympics and Paralympics in the coming days, it supports talented individuals to achieve their best on a global stage.
“It’s essential that we invest in its future now to ensure it can continue to fulfil this role for decades ahead.
“Failure to act now would risk the loss of some services, the loss of national and international events to rival velodromes, the loss of revenue and an undermining of Manchester’s reputation as a sporting capital."
Refurbishment of the NCC will also see spectator facilities brought up to standard ensuring that the complex can continue to secure major events, while British Cycling athletes will also benefit from a new performance support centre.
Trackside, an extra digital screen will be installed alongside a new timing system and a hospitality suite for sponsors, international visitors and athletes.
The cycling track itself was recently upgraded and will need to be protected throughout the work, which could start in September and finish in early 2023 subject to approval next week.
Brain Facer, chief executive of British Cycling, described the National Cycling Centre as ‘the home and beating heart of our sport’ and added: “Without it, we would not have been able to produce riders of the calibre of Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Sarah Storey and without the inspiration they, and many others have provided, there would have been no growth in participation with huge numbers across Britain now enjoying riding their bikes for fun, for sport and for transport.
“This investment will mean Manchester can continue to lead the way for the rest of the country by providing a vital facility where some of the world’s greatest riders can be supported by a fantastic team to achieve their best.”
Manchester council will fund most of the outlay by borrowing £22.1m, while a joint funding bid with Sport England will bring in a further £1.8m.
The remaining £2.1m will come from a government fund for ‘greener heating’ for public buildings.
A new air source heat pump will save 200,000kg of carbon in the first five years alone, according to Manchester City Council.
