Hawke’s Bay is the best location for a Velodrome says Commonwealth Games gold medalist Ali Shanks. “If it’s going to be the centre of excellence for cycling in New Zealand, it means the New Zealand team will be training here for several months of the year so it’s important they like the place. Hawke’s Bay stands out because it’s got a great climate and fantastic outdoor training options. Basically cyclists like coming here,” she says.
Ali Shanks was a gold medalist at the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi and although she lives in Dunedin, regularly travels to Hawke’s Bay for training.
Fellow New Zealand representative, Olympic bronze medalist and Hawke’s Bay local Westley Gough echoed Shanks’ comments. “My support for a Velodrome here is based on the fact that I firmly believe Hawke’s Bay is the best place for it. I credit much of my success to the environment Hawke’s Bay offers, from great weather, excellent cycling terrain and strong cycling clubs. I know my views are supported by many of my peers, as they also travel here to train,” he says.
The indoor Velodrome, with naming rights sponsorship from Unison, will be located at the Regional Sports Park and will cost $21m. Half of the funds are being provided by non-ratepayer sources including a $7m grant from government.
The bid has been spearheaded by Sports Park Trust Chair and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule. “The ratepayer investment would be significant and we acknowledge that. But this is a one-off opportunity for Hawke’s Bay to host the centre of excellence in a major sport. There is nothing on the sporting horizon that approaches the scale of this opportunity and we have a strong case, so we need to go for it,” he says.
For more information contact: Lawrence Yule Ph: 0272 496206
