The governing body for Australian cycling has criticised the NSW Government over what it claims is a "failure" to secure the future of the state's only indoor velodrome, which it says could throw into jeopardy the preparation of athletes for the Los Angeles and Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The criticism followed the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) having announced earlier this week that it will end its track cycling program in March next year because of uncertainty over the future of Dunc Gray Velodrome, which was used for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In a statement issued released yesterday, AusCycling said the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) would end its track cycling program because of uncertainty over the future of Dunc Gray Velodrome, which was used for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Advised “the failure of the New South Wales Government to secure the future of the state’s only indoor velodrome has left elite and emerging athletes in limbo.”
The statement continued “the NSWIS decision follows more than a year of attempts by AusCycling to work with the NSW Office of Sport and others on options to revitalise the former Olympic venue.
“It now appears the NSW Government has decided to abandon responsibility for the velodrome and hand management of the facility to the Canterbury Bankstown Council from March 31, 2025.”
AusCycling noted that had been in “regular discussion” with the council which is says “will face major financial and management decisions in determining the velodrome’s future”.
AusCycling Chief Executive, Marne Fechner went on to say “unfortunately, this uncertainty means the NSWIS track program will be wound up and the state’s best able and para track athletes may be left without a training venue or an elite program less than four years out from the Los Angeles Games and eight years from a home Olympics.
"If this facility continues to be ignored and de-prioritised, NSW risks becoming the only state in Australia without an indoor velodrome, a terrible outcome for Australia's most populous state.”
Fechner added that AusCycling remained willing to work with the NSW government, the Canterbury-Bankstown Council and other parties "to chart a sustainable future for the velodrome and elite training programs".
In response, the NSW Office of Sport provided the below statement to Wide World of Sports, commenting "Dunc Gray Velodrome is owned by City of Canterbury-Bankstown.
"The Office of Sport operates and manages the venue under a management agreement with council which ends on 31 March 2025.
"The Office of Sport is currently engaging with City of Canterbury-Bankstown on the future management arrangements."
Developed and funded by the NSW Government at a cost of $42 million the Dunc Gray Velodrome opened in November 1999.
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well as caring for Stella the pug.
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