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The City of Edinburgh Council have confirmed that they intend to withdraw their application to build an indoor velodrome in Edinburgh, having been approached by SportScotland to allow a velodrome to be built in Glasgow.
Scottish Cycling has been involved in the discussions and negotiations with Glasgow City Council, Edinburgh Council and sportscotland.
£3m had been earmarked for a velodrome on the Craigmillar stadium site. This was to replace the 20-year old track at Meadowbank. The money will now be spent on the velopark in Glasgow.
David Hoy, father of kilo Olympic gold medal winner Chris Hoy, and a director of Scottish Cycling and chair of the National Facilities Committee said:
“We are more than happy to support the proposal. Glasgow City Council have given us a commitment that the covered velodrome will be built whether or not the city is successful in its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Indeed we understand that there is a strong possibility that the facility will be in the process of construction when the City submits its formal bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2006, demonstrating the city’s and Scotland’s commitment to the Games.
"With the replacement facility for Meadowbank Stadium not expected to be ready before 2011 this gives Scottish Cycling sufficient time to work with Edinburgh Council and other agencies to have the alternative facility in Edinburgh constructed before the closure of the velodrome at Meadowbank. With the new Glasgow velodrome being completed prior to this, there shall be no interruption to programmed track activities in Scotland.”
Councillor Donald Anderson, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said: “It is my intention to ask the Council to commission a report on the possibility of a velodrome at Hunters Hall, following discussions with representatives of the cycling community. We are prepared to support the Glasgow proposals in order to give them the best possible chance of securing the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but we do want to continue to provide cycling facilities of a suitable standard in Edinburgh. It is important that we have competing cyclists as well as cycling facilities for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”
Toni Whight, Scottish Cycling’s director of operations said: “The proposal to locate the Scottish Cycling Centre in Glasgow will present a number of significant challenges for Scottish Cycling. However, with the support of sportscotland, the relevant local authorities and the cycling community, I am sure that the opportunities being presented can be maximised and the new facilities will be a huge success.”
