NEM outlines £20m BMX centre for Sportcity
A £20.75m indoor BMX centre is being planned by New East Manchester, the urban regeneration company, to link into the Manchester Velodrome.
The fully enclosed 70 x 100m racing track will come with seating for 4,500 spectators and be of national and international competition standard.
The 150,000 sq ft building on the east car park of the velodrome will be linked at ground and first floors to the existing centre, home of the Team GB cycling team so victorious at the last Olympics.
A BMX track has been mooted for the area ever since the regional casino concept was scrapped by Government, as one of the ways of rescuing investment and jobs.
The design for the indoor BMX centre features a timber roof, which will form a square 'dome' spanning 100m in both directions. The centre will also house two Sport England sports halls for community use.
A contractor has yet to be appointed for the 14-month build. Project manager and cost consultant, Davis Langdon, is advising the council.
Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "This is just the first stage of a long process, and marks the start of a new phase in the development of Sportcity that will enhance the existing sports facilities here in east Manchester.
"We're clear in our aspiration to deliver a world-class indoor BMX centre that will offer a home for the British BMX team for the 2012 Olympics and beyond. Athletes who benefited from Sportcity facilities won over 60 medals at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games last year. We are confident that with the right facilities we can help even more talented athletes achieve their dream. As part of the scheme we also want to provide state-of-the-art community facilities for our young people.
"We're now seeking a contractor to construct the building so that it will be available for the end of 2010 in readiness for training for 2012. This is just one ingredient in a whole series of plans that will make Sportcity a leading international sporting destination and ensure the North West plays a major part in national sporting achievement in the future."
