Proposals for £24 million BMX centre announced

Proposals for a £24 million national indoor BMX centre at Sportcity in east Manchester have been announced in advance of a report going to Manchester City Council’s Executive committee on 22 July.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the 110, 000 sq foot building will, with the existing Manchester Velodrome form the National Cycling Centre, the British home of cycling. It will include a 2,000 seater capacity BMX area and offices for the headquarters of the British Cycling Federation.

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said, ‘Bringing this £24 million national indoor BMX centre to Sportcity will not only enhance the existing facilities and cement east Manchester’s reputation as a world-class centre for cycling, but it will create 64 full time jobs and safeguard a further 100.

These facilities will offer elite athletes, schools and the wider community a unique opportunity to access a world-class track. Although this venue will be used by the British Olympic BMX team, it will also be an important community facility for our young people with the hope that one day, one of our own local youngsters will bring an Olympic medal home to east Manchester.’

The National Cycling Centre will be surrounded by new and improved public spaces, including outdoor freestyle cycling areas, together forming one of the UK’s first veloparks. Routes around the site for pedestrians and cyclists will be created including new pathways and a new crossing over the canal enabling better access to public transport, including the new Metrolink tram stop.

A consultation event on the plans will take place on Tuesday 4 August at the Manchester Velodrome at Sportcity from 3pm to 8pm. Members of the public are invited to attend to view the plans and make comments.

Subject to funding and planning approval, work on the scheme will start on site by January 2010 with completion by March 2011.

Tags: British Cycling Federation, Manchester Attractions, Manchester City Council, Manchester Velodrome, National Cycling Centre, Sportcity