Following the closure of the Saffron Lane velodrome over 10 years ago, exciting developments are moving forward for a replacement of what was once the UK's premier cycling facility.
The new velodrome is as integral part of the plans for the exciting new Beaumont sports complex adjacent to Beaumont Leys leisure centre. The proposed complex shall include a motorbike speedway stadium that will be home to the reformed Leicester Lions as well as a state of the art 5-a-side football facility. And not only will it house a brand new velodrome, but also a national standard BMX track; with 2012 moving closer by the day and BMX sitting alongside track cycling as an Olympic sport, the complex will provide fantastic opportunities for the youth of Leicester and Leicestershire as well as providing a brilliant new facility for cyclists from all over the East Midlands.
British Cycling is delighted at the news and such will be the significance of the new facility has pledged to move it's regional HQ including four full time staff onto the site. Leicestershire resident Gary Coltman who won 8 British National titles on the boards of Saffron Lane and now heads up Cycling's World Class Olympic Talent Programme is excited about the development and the opportunities it offers to local residents;
“At a time when Cycling is a leading Olympic Sport and Great Britain is the World's number one track cycling nation, there hasn't been a better time to replace the famous facility that was not only home to track cycling in the UK but also provided so many great opportunities to the of residents of Leicester to engage with a great sport that provides multiple benefits in terms of health and wellbeing and sustainable transport in addition to the performance side of the sport”.
Coltman continues “Participation of cycling has risen by an incredible 40% over the last 12 months; it is very much a growing sport and with BMX now in the Olympics it is simply a great time build a facility that houses both track and BMX and we are delighted at the prospect of this new facility being part of the Beaumont Sports Complex that will provide the infrastructure that a facility of this stature will require. Geographically it is perfect with great transport links for visitors from across the region as well as being situated very close to the National Cycle Network and providing opportunities for other types of cycling at the complex”.
