Here's What Whanganui is Missing Out On
Here’s an example of an event Whanganui is missing out on after the Whanganui District Council decided by a split 6 to 6 vote not to do final due diligence and roof the city’s velodrome.
Ninety talented teenage riders are heading to Invercargill’s covered velodrome this 2021 Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend for the first round of Cycling New Zealand’s National Track Series.
The series, in its third year, was established to provide young riders with the opportunity to develop increased tactical and technical awareness as well as educational, coaching and racecraft workshops.
“The National Track Series has already had a significant impact on developing the technical and tactical ability of young riders,” said Cycling New Zealand’s Graeme Hunn.
“We have seen not only a rise in the number of young riders into the sport, we are already seeing them push on in the sport and hopefully on to the international arena once the global sporting scene settles again.”
The National Track series is one of more than 10 national, regional and local cycling events which could be held in a covered multi-use velodrome at Whanganui. Combined they would bring thousands of visitors to town, along with more than 27 other skating, sporting, community, cultural and entertainment events.
The Council, however, couldn’t make a decision. The velodrome remains shut, with its former world-class wooden track exposed and rotting. The Council meets again on June 22 to affirm its decisions on Long Term Plan submissions. 60% of those submitting on the velodrome said to roof it.
