New images reveal plans for Cardiff International Sports Village

A planning application has been submitted for a velodrome in the new International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, with computer-generated images released to show the plans.

The new velodrome and its associated Performance Hub and an Off-Road Bike Track are two of the new cycling facilities scheduled for delivery in 2022/23.

The new velodrome will replace the existing Maindy Cycle Track.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: ‘The International Sports Village is about bringing people and sport together, creating a thriving, socially inclusive and accessible place to enjoy a whole range of sporting and leisure activities. It is exciting to be able to continue to support the development of sport and provide improved opportunities for athletes, individuals, clubs, leisure groups, teams and new users at all levels.

‘The Council understands that a fantastic legacy has been created at Maindy Cycle Track and that the relocation will bring forward a range of emotion.  With this in mind, the Council is committed to embracing the growth in Cycle Sport as it moves forward with the development of the Sports Village. The new velodrome and off-road bike track are the first steps to connecting and integrating sportwithin a central hub and providing an excellent, city-wide facility that can be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come.

‘Plans for the new velodrome, off road track and closed road circuit in the Bay continue to be supported by key cycling organisations including National Governing Bodies, Cycling Clubs and other sports clubs and groups. They have been involved in helping us shape the specifications for the velodrome, so it works for everyone from beginners to professionals.’

Chair of Maindy Flyers CC, Deian Jones, added: ‘Whilst we are obviously disappointed with the loss of the Maindy velodrome with its history, Maindy Flyers support the new cycle offer proposed by Cardiff Council at the heart of the Sports Village. The combination of a closed-road circuit and new velodrome with off-track changing, storage and socialising space has the potential to create a world-class cycling hub of which Cardiff can be proud.

‘We believe that success must strike the right balance of design criteria which maximises community usage, from 5-year-olds at their first Maindy Flyers session, to Olympic hopefuls. Our club is already at capacity, and we want to make sure that a move to the cycling hub allows the club to retain and grow our training and racing provision. A safe, competition-standard, closed-road circuit and a velodrome that can be used by riders of all abilities in all weathers are vital if we want to continue to give our members quality training sessions.

‘We are encouraged by the commitment from Cardiff Council for a seamless transition to the new velodrome which is an essential requirement ensuring that there is no impact on the progression and development of our members. The location of the cycling hub as part of the overall Sports Village will mean that we can attract even more people to the sport and provide us with fantastic facilities so that we can nurture the champions of the future.’

Photo supplied by Faulkner Browns Architects