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Geelong to get Victoria's first regional cycling criterium track
Geelong announces Regional Cycling Criterium track plans
Construction of the $1.5 million Geelong Regional Cycling Criterium track will begin in June.
The open road course will comprise a 1km and 1.8km track that can be divided into three separate circuits.
The track will be built next to the Barwon Valley Activity Centre, opposite K mart, and run parallel to Barwon Heads Rd, extend under the Settlement Rd overpass, into Belmont Common and link to the existing Barwon River multi-purpose track.
Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino joined Mayor John Mitchell and Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield in Belmont yesterday to announce the project.
The State Government has contributed $500,000 and maximum ground space to the development, with council contributing the remaining $1 million.
Merlino yesterday said the track, which will be built on an "underutilised piece of land", would cater for a growing state-wide demand in the sport and provide a pathway into elite competition.
"There is a demand not just for events but safe cycling opportunities," Merlino said.
"Cycling's big in Geelong ... it will provide a safe place for road cyclists."
The circuit is stage one of plans to make the unused area a cycling hub.
Drawings showing future works include a 250m outdoor velodrome, mountain bike skills area, clubrooms, cafe, museum and provision for a further 20 car spaces.
"The circuit will allow us to build on the increased interest in cycling that will inevitably arise after Geelong hosts the 2010 World Road Cycling Championships, and confirm the Geelong region as one of Australia's cycling capitals," Cr Mitchell said.
Chair of Barwon Regional Bicycle Council, Ted Wilson said the world class facility was a dream come true for the social and competitive cycling community.
"This is a sensational start to what I thought was going to be a smoky dream, this has happened so fast I can't believe it," Wilson said.
"It's a nursery for youth and a place for current competitors to come and train without having to worry about traffic. There's never been a nursery to direct young cyclists, this is the start of that."
The track will be open to all members of the public from the entire Geelong region including school groups, bike clubs, elite athletes and cycling enthusiasts.
A completion date for stage one of the project, part of the State Government's Community Facilities Funding Program, is yet to be confirmed.
