City velodrome options explored
Whanganui District Council favours a proposal to replace the city’s failing velodrome with a $20m roofed facility.
The future of the Whanganui velodrome was the focus of the council’s first Long-Term Plan (LTP) community engagement event on Wednesday.
The Velodrome closed in February after a cyclist’s wheel went through a rotten board, despite council efforts to restore the deteriorating track.
Now, as the council goes out for consultation on its 10-year LTP, the community is being asked for feedback on three possible velodrome options: demolish the track at a cost of $200,000, build a roofed velodrome at a cost of $20m (of which council would fund up to $9m) or build a multi-purpose velodrome and events centre at a cost of $36.4m (of which council would fund up to $16.4m).
In its draft LTP, the council has indicated a preference for the midrange, $20m option. A roofed velodrome would provide a weatherproof cycling track, allow greater use of the asset, and continue to contribute to Whanganui city’s sporting history, the council says.
The council describes the velodrome as a significant community sporting asset. Built in 1995 to international standards, it features a wooden track surface that was once regarded as the fastest in the country.
The track is now 25 years old and has deteriorated from exposure to the weather. Failing boards have been replaced over time using the stock of matching hardwood onsite but the level of deterioration has increased year on year.
Mayor Hamish McDouall said the probable impacts on rates and debt for each of the three proposals would be presented at tonight’s meeting.
“Council members are not all decided on this issue,” Mayor McDouall said.
“We will be listening to feedback at this week’s meeting and we want as many people as possible to make submissions. Community feedback will be very influential when we go into deliberations.”
Public consultation on Whanganui District Council’s Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 opened this week.