Cycling track renamed
Memory of council officer Peter Watts lives on
THE Toowoomba Cycling Criterium Track has officially been renamed the Peter Watts Criterium Track.
Peter Watts, a former Toowoomba Region Council officer and avid cyclist died suddenly in January last year.
Recently, at a private ceremony at the track attended by his family, councillors, the council staff and the cycling community, many paid tribute to the memory of Mr Watts with one councillor describing him as a character of “zeal, ambition and dedication”.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said the council unanimously endorsed the decision to officially name the facility the Peter Watts Criterium Track at its meeting in September 2017.
“The renaming of the track stands testament to the impact Peter had on this project specifically, and more broadly on council staff, the cycling community and residents of our region,” he said.
“Peter was a triathlon champion, a keen cyclist and an outstanding council staff member.
“He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather – and friend. It’s only fitting that the Criterium Track honours his memory forever.”
As a passionate member of the Cycling Development Facilities Committee, Mr Watts was directly involved in concept development and detailed design works for the new track.
He provided technical oversight and engineering expertise to guide its development.
The Criterium Track, which stands at the south-east corner of the Toowoomba Showgrounds at Glenvale, offers cyclists of all skill levels a safe recreation and training venue.
The $2.34 million circuit has been open to the public since 2011 and is regarded as one of Australia’s best and most challenging cycling criterium circuits.