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Work Starts On British Cycling HQ

Shanaze Reade breaks new ground as work starts on National Indoor BMX Centre

Olympic BMX rider Shanaze Reade joined school children from Ashbury Meadow Community School in Beswick, east Manchester, for a groundbreaking ceremony as work starts to build the world's first purpose built in-door BMX track.

Above: Shanaze Reade (centre) celebrates the commencment of work with Charlie Jackson, British Cycling Board Member, North West (right) and Anne Boyd from Sport England (right), along with puplis from two local schools which will benefit greatly from the facility once completed.  

British Cycling and Manchester City Council, in partnership with New East Manchester, are working together to deliver the 110,000 sq foot National Indoor BMX Centre at Sportcity.

With the existing Manchester Velodrome, and improved public spaces, the new £24 million complex will form the National Cycling Centre. It will include a 2,000 seater capacity BMX area and offices for British Cycling headquarters.

Shanaze Reade commenting on the new centre said: "Having the National Indoor BMX Centre in east Manchester, right on my doorstep, is fantastic. I can't wait to train here to try and get a gold medal at London 2012. I also really hope it encourages more local kids to take up the sport."

Ian Drake, British Cycling's Chief Executive, said: "Today brings us a step closer to the completion of the BMX centre which will be a fantastic training and competition facility for British Cycling and aid the GB Cycling Team's preparations for London 2012. As a community facility, the centre will also offer local young people and adults an opportunity to train alongside British BMX stars, inspiring future generations of riders and growing the discipline at the grass roots. We also look forward to the opening of a new purpose-built British Cycling office when the project is complete in 2011."

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: "East Manchester is the home of British Cycling and this scheme will take this partnership to a new level. The National Indoor BMX Centre will sit beside the Manchester Velodrome and a new velopark offering facilities for all cycling disciplines for both elite athletes and the community. Employing over 160 people, this new complex will add to the range of world class sporting facilities we have at Sportcity."

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: "Sportcity forms a core element of regeneration activity in East Manchester, delivering not only physical but also economic and social change. The new BMX arena will further enhance the city's profile as a centre of sporting excellence, providing the type of world-class facilities and elite athletes that attracts wider investment.

"It is excellent that work has begun and that we can announce new investment which will support a range of developments that will generate employment, reinforce the role of sporting activity as an economic driver for the area, enhance the leisure and tourism offer of Manchester and serve to further raise the area's profile."

Sport England's Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: "The BMX Centre will bring high-quality sporting opportunities to both elite riders and the community, helping us deliver a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy of increased participation. The plans have the firm support of British Cycling, which will use the facilities to identify and nurture the next generation of BMX stars. To secure investment from our Sustainable Facilities Fund, this project has demonstrated that it will meet local sporting needs and safeguard long-term sports provision."

The facility is funded by Manchester City Council (£8.55 million), the Northwest Regional Development Agency (£8 million) and Sport England (£3 million). An additional £5million has also been announced to create high quality public spaces that will serve the National Cycling Centre and other local venues. The funding will provide new cycle-ways and footpaths linking the new and existing developments. The £5 million public realm works are jointly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.

The National Indoor BMX Centre has been designed by Ellis Williams Architects. Construction work will be carried out by contractors Sir Robert McAlpine with completion expected in April 2011.