Last week, as you have most likely heard, SPARC decided that the Hawkes Bay for the covered velodrome in the North Island was not worthy enough to even make the final listing of three. This has been a great surprise to many cyclists, cycling supporters, velodrome enthusiasts and advocates. Many Ramblers members were anticipating at least being short-listed, and within our club we have several people who have played key roles in the work towards the velodrome – many meetings, interviews and promotions. At the risk of leaving someone out, eNews acknowledges the work and time of people like Rob Oliver, Roy van Panhuys, Don Kennedy, Ivan Aplin and Gavin Bush who have had input from the beginning with Ramblers strategic plan which had a vision to support and velodrome in the Bay.
Quotes from press releases:
“Ramblers really appreciates the support from Lawrence Yule and the bidding team so the region can be proud of that and I don't believe it was in any way their fault,'' Bush said.”
"With every cloud there's a silver lining" and the good news, Kennedy said, was the $7 million earmarked could now be committed to cycling generally, to make it safer by adding features such as more cycle lanes and clip-ons for bridges along Pakowhai Rd, for example.
To read more on the Hawkes Bay response to this extremely disappointing news for the Bay, not just for cyclists, go to Thursday’s edition of Hawkes bay Today (page A3) for a response from the Sports Park (Jock Mackintosh and Rex Graham), or page A11 for two articles giving Ramblers perspective and Bike Hawkes Bay’s perspective.
These can also be read online:
http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/sport/news/velodrome-knockback-anger-in-hawkes-bay/3944782/
http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/sport/news/amalgamate-three-councils-say-velodrome-supporters/3944727/
