Velodrome Update
What will happen when this stadium comes to town…
Here are the updated numbers behind a $26.3 million COVID-19 “shovel-ready” funding application to the Government for a Whanganui velodrome stadium.
The project funding, applied for by Whanganui District Council, will deliver:
- 6,000 indoor crowd capacity
- 100 construction jobs
- 500+ other new jobs
- 31+ sports, cultural and concert events
- 24%+ more visitors
- $176 million net economic benefit over 10 years
These are exciting times. Whanganui has funding to restore two other cornerstone infrastructure assets, the Sergeant Gallery and Port development.
Now we await a government decision on a “shovel-ready” application for $26.3 million to make our Velodrome a world-class cycling hub once again. It will also become the Lower North Island’s largest covered venue – to attract tens of thousands of people to multiple sports, community, cultural and entertainment events.
Sadly, the Velodrome, its wooden track, left uncovered since 1995, will need to be demolished in 2 years if nothing is done.
But the project is now shortlisted as a COVID-19 economic recovery one. A combination of new cycling and speed skating tracks, extra seats and activities, expanding its use to other sports PLUS concerts and regional, national and international events (no matter the weather!) means the new stadium will have an economic payback period of just 2.3 years. It unleashes major opportunities for our communities and tourism, travel, hospitality, retail and other sectors.
The Mayors of Whanganui, Rangitikei, Palmerston North, Manawatu, Ruapehu, Horowhenua and Tararua have signed a letter supporting the development application
For further information – or to support this project please email: velo.trust@gmail.com
Cut away stadium image by
Copeland Partners Architects
The Challenge
Whanganui has a world class velodrome. Built in 1995 to full international standards, it features a stunning, tropical hardwood surface, regarded as the fastest in the country. This surface is now becoming weathered and needs to be protected if it is to survive. In addition, being exposed to the elements, it is difficult to host major events at the track due to the potential of weather disruption.
The Solution
Roof the Velodrome. A revolutionary design has been proposed by Copeland Associates, which will provide a cost-effective solution to this long standing problem. A breathtaking dome structure, using membrane technology similar to London’s O2 Dome, would provide New Zealand’s largest single span roofed space and deliver protection for our wonderful velodrome at a fraction of the cost of a traditional roof.
Stepping Up for our Region
Invest in the future of the velodrome
have pride in your Regional Velodrome in Whanganui.
“Protect the Asset”
Velo5000 Club Sponsor – Tony Hodge.
“I believe in it, I think it’s fantastic, I think it’ll be wonderful for Whanganui, it’s going to be great for the region. The really positive thing is so many people have come together from around the region to support it, including the Mayor of Palmerston North and Cycling NZ”.
83% support Whanganui velodrome stadium funding
A new poll taken in the past week shows Whanganui district residents overwhelmingly want the Government to approve a $26.3 million application to fund a velodrome stadium. The new stadium is short listed for shovel-ready project funding. The Government is expected to...
When will the Govt decide shovel-ready projects?
The Velodrome Update's second newspaper advertisement has been published, pointing out Whanganui District Council's application to the Government to fund the $26 million development of a velodrome stadium is so shovel-ready only 2 of 11 boxes are left to be ticked....
Job-rich velodrome stadium application
An information campaign to update Whanganui residents on the latest information behind a $26.2 million funding application for a velodrome stadium is being launched this week. The campaign, which involves newspaper advertising, social media and other activities sets...
Cycling New Zealand is totally committed to the benefits that roofing the Regional Velodrome in Whanganui will bring to New Zealand Cycling at every level and support the Regional Velodrome Roofing Group unconditionally.
The fully developed velodrome will be a centre piece in Cycling New Zealand’s Cycling Performance Hubs.
Wanganui is one of the track designs I am really proud of.
I went away from the old-fashioned long straights and tight curves and produced a design with long sweeping curves. It was a break with the past.