Cycle sport complex on Cairns club agenda
Consultants’ report to be ready before council elections
A BASIC concept and design for a multi-sport cycle precinct proposed for Cairns could be ready by the end of the year.
The centre could potentially cater for up to five disciplines of the sport including track and road cycling, mountain biking, BMX and triathlon.
Although in its infancy, a steering committee met for the first time yesterday to discuss which formats could be included and also locations.
The Cairns Cycling Club operates out of Smith Park in Manunda and this has previously been named as a potential site, although club coach and councillor Richie Bates said other spots are being considered.
He said external consultants were working on a report which he hoped would be back before next year’s Cairns Regional Council elections.
A possible cost of the project is not yet known.
“It’s pretty exciting. I think, the time is right for this kind of thing,” he said.
“Cairns is the cyclesport capital of regional Queensland.”
The city’s cycling network had recently earned rave reviews at the Asia Pacific Cycling Conference and labelled a blueprint for other centres to follow.
Mr Bates said ideally they would like to see the centre be able to cater for as many disciplines as possible to give greater access to funding.
However, he said assistance from other government tiers may be possible.
“Money has been tight at a State and Federal level but there is still money flowing to cycling projects because I think they see the cost benefits,” he said.
The development comes as the Cairns club prepares to host World and Commonwealth Games champion Kerrie Meares, sister of Anna, this weekend.
Ms Meares is holding a oneday clinic for local cyclists tomorrow with riders coming from as far away as Townsville to take part. “Our young riders s are looking forward to the experience - of being coached byy the world’s best.
“This is a great chance for or our aspiring cyclists to furtherer their development,” Mr Bateses said.