June 2/12 15:16 pm - Milton Velodrome Update

Posted by Editoress on 06/2/12
 

On Thursday evening, the town of Milton held a public session to update the community on the progress of the velodrome project for the 2015 Pan Am Games, led by Jennifer Reynolds, the Town’s director of community services.

Milton stepped in at the last minute to rescue the planned indoor, permanent velodrome for the Games, after Hamilton refused to commit the necessary funding.  The site is in the planned Milton Educational Village (MEV), west of Tremaine Road and north of a planned Louis St Laurent Blvd extension, on 6.5 acres of land that has been set aside.

Approximately 40 people showed up to hear a detailed outline of where the project stands and to ask questions.

An outline of where things stand:

• Sponsorship Agreement Signed.  Mattamy Homes has signed a formal agreement to donate $9 million to the velodrome, with payments to be made in November of 2012/2013/2014.  Reynolds said the town has applied to Toronto 2015 to rename the centre after the Games to the Mattamy Cycling Centre Home of Canadian Cycling, as a way to recognize Mattamy’s donation.

• Fundraising Campaign Underway.  Fundraising for a portion of the municipal share is beginning, with an August cycling event planned (no details at this time).

• Track Facilities.  Some additional details of the facilities that the track will contain were provided:

- A 250 metre track homologated to UCI Category 1 specifications (meaning able to hold international events up to and including World Cups and world championships)

- A multi-purpose sports floor infield of sprung hardwood, equivalent in size to three basketball courts.

- A 300 metre walking/jogging track around the concourse

- 3000 square foot fitness facility

- A studio suitable for yoga, pilates, etc.

- A multi-purpose room (meetings, etc.).

- Storage facilities (for bicycles and other equipment).

- Change rooms

- Cafe

- Bike shop

- 1500 permanent seats (plus another temporary 750 for the Pan Ams on the Concourse).


• Legacy Funding and Usage.  The facility will be one of three projects to receive ongoing funding from the $70 million Pan Am Legacy Fund (along with a Toronto aquatic centre and the York University athletic facility).  The estimated annual funding will be in $300,000 - $700,000.

The primary function of the velodrome as a legacy facility is first as a national cycling centre for elite athlete training and for holding international cycling events.  The secondary function will be for community cycling and recreational activities.  It was stressed repeatedly that cycling needs will take priority over other uses, and that all other activities will have to be scheduled around cycling.

The other uses range from Basketball Canada and Roller Sports Canada being interested in using the infield, to convocations for an expected satellite campus of Wilfred Laurier University, trade shows, etc.

The expected economic impact of visitors (including the national team) and events on Milton is estimated to be $2.6-$2.9 million annually.  Expected cycling event use (post-Games) is estimated to average 11-2 event days per year for national/international events and 4 event days per year provincial level events.


• Current Timeline.  The RFP for the project closed on May 24th, and the evaluation of proposals is underway (it is part of a larger proposal for multiple site builds).  Land use planning and zoning hearings are underway, and Milton is working on revising its Cycling Master Plan to incorporate the velodrome into plans for road cycling (such as bike lanes), recreational cycling, etc.  At this time there are no plans for putting a BMX track at the velodrome, but that is still a possibility in the future.

The decision on the preferred proponent for construction will be announced August 17th and the site will be ready for building to start by January of 2013.  Substantial completion of the project is planned for August of 2014, with a test event to be held in the fall of 2014.