Cycling: Sparc extends date for cycle centre funds

Photo / Thinkstock

National sports funding body Sparc has given more time to the proponents of a successful bid to house the nation's cycling centre of excellence in Waikato/Bay of Plenty, so they can secure the money to establish the centre.

Last month, Sparc announced the Waikato/Bay of Plenty bid, developed by the Home of Cycling Trust (HCT), was the preferred tender for developing the centre from a shortlist of three, including Palmerston North and Auckland.

Sparc, BikeNZ and HCT then entered into negotiations on several aspects of the project including technical and commercial details, construction and funding.

Sparc CEO Peter Miskimmin said yesterday HCT had met all requirements except confirmation of full funding, which depended on council funding processes.

The trust had requested more time for funding applications to go through local and regional council processes.

Sparc had intended to give the project the go-ahead yesterday, but would give HCT until September to secure all the funding needed.

But Miskimmin said Auckland and Palmerston North were remaining on stand-by for the extended timeframe.

HCT's proposal, costing $28.5 million, includes a velodrome built to international standards and a BMX track at Cambridge, mountain bike trails at Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, and access to roads with low traffic volumes for road cycling.

The Government is providing $7 million to develop the centre.

It was reported this week that HCT's approach to Waipa District Council and Hamilton City Council for $6 million was knocked back.

Waikato Regional Council is considering the trust's appeal for funds but wants time to look at the request.

"This isn't unexpected as the trust signalled in its tender documents, as did other bidders, they will need time to do this," Miskimmin said.

"We have agreed to the extension of time as there are council processes which need to be respected and cannot be short-circuited. This also allows for community buy-in.

"The national cycling centre of excellence will only be built once, so we need to ensure that the right decision is made."

The time extension is until early September, the exact date yet to be determined.

- NZPA