Cyclists pushing case for $35m centre

Brian Blake gets help from Sam Webster (left) and Ethan Mitchell. Photo / Greg Bowker

Cycling's youthful champions have added their weight to a case for a $35 million world standard indoor cycling track, which goes before the Auckland Council this month.

Council backing is essential if a bid is to be made to Sport and Recreation New Zealand for a $7 million grant to build a national cycling centre of excellence.

If the bid succeeds, the centre will be built at The Trusts Stadium, in Henderson.

Yesterday at the stadium, sprint cyclists Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell and endurance track rider Myron Simpson said the proposed facility would open opportunities for both competitive and recreational cyclists.

"It will offer more support and convenience for those who may want to take up the sport and will grow Olympic champions," said Webster, who has won junior world titles as well as Commonwealth Games and World Cup medals.

He and Mitchell started cycling while at school and say the number taking part in the Roadside school programme has doubled in five years.

"I know if we build the indoor velodrome in Auckland we will see even more cycling," said Mitchell.

Fellow Commonwealth Games team member Simpson, who lives at Howick, said the facility would attract residents of all Auckland as well as outside districts.

A representative at the 2010 Junior World Track Championships, Stephanie McKenzie, said having the centre in Auckland would boost her training and chance for selection in an Olympic team.

Bids close on February 11 but first the council has to decide on January 27 whether to make $19 million available towards the building, with the Trusts raising up to $9 million.

Trusts Stadium chief executive Brian Blake said a lot of work had been done on the business case to the council. "We are confident that all proposed income streams can be developed without it being an ongoing burden on the ratepayer for operational funding."

The project is backed by Cycling Auckland, the Millennium Institute and the Auckland Regional Physical Activity and Sport Strategy.