Editorial: Wheels turn on cycle site

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman was impressed by plans to build a roof over the Whanganui velodrome when he visited the city last week.

It has been a source of regret for some years ...

There was Whanganui's once esteemed velodrome slowly, almost imperceptibly, degenerating as the weather took its toll.

Exposed to the elements, it was on a slow slide to becoming an embarrassment - an eyesore, even.

Put a roof over it? It seemed an impossible dream. Yet quietly, a fair way below the radar, a group of dreamers were putting their heads together.

Not content to shrug their shoulders and put it in the basket marked "too hard", the Regional Velodrome Roofing Team came up with a plan. It's a $5.8 million plan, admittedly, but these guys have done their homework.

On Friday Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman took a look - and even him officially and publicly having a peek is a significant step forward. He was impressed, he saw plenty of positives and, while not ready to fork out the money, he gave enough encouragement to suggest central government might put up some funding.

Crucially, New Zealand's national cycling body, BikeNZ, is backing the plan.

BikeNZ is on a roll, its cyclists tearing up the tracks around the world - and the more success it has, the more money it gets. Now BikeNZ sees Whanganui as part of its network of cycling hubs around the country.

Also crucial to any deal is the support garnered from the Manawatu and its councils. The velodrome needs to be accepted as a truly regional facility for any chance of success.

Mr Coleman said that Whanganui MP Chester Borrows would keep him updated on progress, so here is an ideal opportunity for our local representative to keep this project under the minister's nose, and apply a little gentle pressure.

Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie should also get on the bandwagon and join Mr Borrows in pushing for government support. There is a long way to go, but it may be more than just a dream ...