News article
National Cycling Centre’s Velodrome becomes all-electric
The Velodrome at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester has become the first such venue in the UK to become all-electric after reopening following a £27m revamp.
The National Cycling Centre (NCC) has benefited from investment from Manchester City Council, Sport England and the UK Government. The NCC now boasts more modern, efficient and sustainable features, which will also help boost participation at all levels.
Manchester City Council is aiming to cut carbon emissions across its buildings, driving the city towards zero carbon by 2038 or earlier. Sustainability has been at the core of the Velodrome’s refurbishment, with green energy technologies implemented to reduce the centre’s overall carbon footprint. These included heat recovery systems, as well as a new Air Source Heat Pump and solar panels, which are expected to save up to 517 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
The Council is further hoping that the investment into sporting facilities will encourage residents to lead healthier lifestyles and look after their physical and mental wellbeing. Manchester’s Aquatics Centre and other leisure centres have also been upgraded to aid this goal.
The facility will remain the home of local clubs with BMX, MTB and multi-sport programmes utilising the site. The current programme caters from toddler to elite level with more than 50 coached sessions across the BMX and Velodrome Track every week. Additionally, multiple sports are played on the centre court including badminton, futsal, netball, korfball and more.
“The Velodrome is not only a space where elite athletes train, but also a world-class facility that is open to residents and local clubs."
As part of the redevelopment, Manchester City Council has submitted a bid for the city to become the ACES European Capital of Cycling for 2024.
“The National Cycling Centre has been an unmistakable part of the city’s sporting skyline since Manchester hosted the successful Commonwealth Games in 2002 and, it is great to welcome back the jewel in the city’s crown of world-class sporting facilities,” said Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure.
“The Velodrome is not only a space where elite athletes train, but also a world-class facility that is open to residents and local clubs. We want our communities to benefit from having state-of-the-art facilities on their doorstep and I’m delighted that the Velodrome and the National Cycling Centre are open again so everyone can get cycling.”
British Cycling Chief Executive Jon Dutton added: “We’ve been proud to call Manchester and the National Cycling Centre our home for almost three decades, during which time the facility has established itself as both a world-leading elite training base for our Olympic and Paralympic riders and a vibrant community hub.
“Having both the best in the world and absolute beginners riding on the same tracks is one of the things which makes the facility so unique and inspiring, and we’re incredibly thankful for the support of Manchester City Council and other partners to ensure that it continues to be a treasured community asset for many years to come.”
Image: dylan nolte on Unsplash