Welsh cycling are looking to invite interested parties to declare their expression of interest to host a potential Outdoor Velodrome to be located in North Wales.
Outdoor cycling velodromes are an ideal facility for both increasing physical activity and producing champions of the future. There are currently just two outdoor tracks in Wales, one located in South Wales (Maindy, Cardiff) and one in West Wales (Carmarthen). These velodromes have produced Olympic, World and Commonwealth champions on the track and a Tour de France champion on the road.
As it stands, participants in Wales are limited to travelling to these two facilities or the indoor velodrome in Newport to take part in track cycling. This is a considerable barrier to participation and talent development.
As a result, Welsh Cycling are keen to support a potential partner to develop an outdoor velodrome in North Wales. This will not only enable the development of future champions but also provide a facility for active recreation, sport and community activity as well as volunteering opportunities.
Welsh Cycling believes that facilities such as this are key to developing cycling, having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing, building confidence and skills for active travel and can be used as a traffic free facility for teaching bike skills and increasing the number of people with cycling as a life skill.
Cycling is very much seen as a dynamic, family sport, and attracting local, regional and national races to the area would bring huge benefits from a visitor and tourist perspective, increasing the profile of the region as a healthy and vibrant place to live or visit.
“The development of an outdoor velodrome in North Wales would provide a sporting hub for the region not only enabling talent to thrive but also bringing much wider benefits to the area as a whole. We therefore invite expressions of interest from parties interested in working with us on this exciting project”. – Anne Adams-King, Welsh Cycling CEO
