Manawatu cycling centre proposal lodged

The bid to host the national Cycling Centre of Excellence on Massey’s Manawatu campus has been lodged.

The proposal is one of seven from throughout New Zealand to be considered by the Government’s sport funding agency, Sparc. The Palmerston North City Council, Sport Manawatu and the Manawatu District Council worked together with the University on the bid.

Success would see a world-class indoor velodrome built at Massey’s Manawatu campus next to the Sport and Rugby Institute, providing facilities to the local, national and international cycling communities.

Facilities for track and road cycling, mountain biking and BMX would be catered to at the centre, which would also provide a sports administration hub for the region.

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says the university's involvement would be a compelling part of Palmerston North's proposal. Massey had a strong record in high-performance sport and athletes needed not just an outstanding facility, but also high-quality support and sport science. Mr Maharey, a keen cyclist, says Manawatu had great terrain for cycling and it made a lot of sense for the region to be home to the new centre.

School of Sport and Exercise head Associate Professor Steve Stannard says the velodrome would be a good fit with the University. “We have some of the best sport scientists in the country at Massey. A number of our staff focus on cycling-related research and we already boast one of the leading cycling science laboratories in Australasia.

“Massey’s Academy of Sport is also a vital contributor to the sporting community, providing promising young sports people the support they need to both compete at an elite level and pursue their academic ambitions.”

Features of the centre include:

• An international-standard indoor cycling velodrome, with more than 1500 permanent seats,
• An international-standard BMX track and mountainbiking trail near the velodrome.
• Up to six indoor courts inside the velodrome for a variety of sports.
• Sports House and Sport Manawatu to move from Queen St to the cycling centre at Massey University.
• Bike New Zealand to move its headquarters from Wellington to Palmerston North.
• National cycling centre of excellence to be located within Massey University's sporting precinct, providing accommodation and medical facilities for athletes.
• Access to Massey's sports science research expertise.
• A decision on where the centre will be located is expected in April.

More information about the bid can be found at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/

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