While the traditional Wheel Race itself could still possibly be run as part of regular local cycling day in March, there is now no chance of having an international calibre event with the New Zealand cyclists based up north committed to the nationals and then the 2018 world championships.
Wednesday's property and community services meeting at the Whanganui District Council tabled a report stating it would cost $285,000 to run an upgraded velodrome with a roof, leaving a deficit just under $239,000 after income under the scenario where there is no sponsorship or grant money.
These estimates were made to "assist decisions around whether to commit ratepayers to financially support any operational shortfalls".
In a email to the Wanganui Chronicle, Cheatley hammered the WDC's costing report which "has a lot of holes in it".
"Council is dragging their feet too much with getting on with the roofing project especially with the government having allocated six million dollars towards it – that allocation won't sit there forever," said Cheatley.
"We have previously had to cancel two International Night of the Stars and three major River City Wheel Race promotions – it's so disappointing with all the volunteer work that goes into it, I'm really over it."
Cheatley said not many local sports could bring five current world champions to the city to compete, plus up to 80 other riders from around the North Island.
"Multiply that by coaches, parents, supporters etc and add up the lost economic benefits to Whanganui."
Cheatley said he has tried to encourage WDC staff and councillors to take a group up to the national training hub in Cambridge and see what makes that velodrome so successful, while the new velodrome in Brisbane has been built "with the same membrane structure proposed for Whanganui".
"They need to sit around the table with people who can explain everything accurately and get a real feel how an indoor velodrome operates, instead of just sitting on their hands here being negative as they really have no idea.
"I can also tell you the wooden surface hasn't got a lot more life left in it.
"A number of rotten boards have had to be replaced this summer.
"It's lasted 23 years – which is well beyond the norm for an outdoor wooden track thanks to the local climatic conditions."