By Deanne Jeffers
BMX and cycling facilities in Shepparton will receive a $2M upgrade. The facilities are already regarded as some of the best in the country, but with this investment, will have amenities to match and capacity to cater for more events.
Minister for Community Sports, Ros Spence, announced the upgrades at the Shepparton BMX Club and the Shepparton Cycling Club precinct alongside representatives from Greater Shepparton City Council on Friday, April 12.
Upgrades will include a face lift for the BMX track, plus a new multi-purpose pavilion, improvements to the 5m and 8m start hills at the BMX track, improved storage, enhancements for broadcasting, and drainage and maintenance management.
The cycling velodrome will also benefit from a lighting upgrade to support users during training and competition, along with supporting BMX major events that use the velodrome.
Shepparton BMX Club secretary, Karen Kelly, said the club was excited about the announcement, particularly the new pavilion, as the club had never had toilets before.
Greater Shepparton City Council mayor, Shane Sali, expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasising its role in sustaining and growing BMX and cycling in Shepparton.
“Greater Shepparton is a proven host of many successful local, state, national and international BMX and cycling events. These projects will allow us to further leverage off these events and increase the economic benefit for our region.
“We will now work to develop a 10-year pipeline of significant major events with AusCycling, to ensure our region has the best events to showcase our world class facilities,” he said.
Brett Lancaster, Olympic Gold medallist, emphasised the significance of upgrading the velodrome for the club’s events and local cycling community.
“It’s [the cycling club’s velodrome] one of the best outdoor tracks in Australia,” Mr Lancaster said. “We were lacking the lighting, so it’s hard to run events at the moment without having to hire extra lights.”
The funding is part of the State Government’s Regional Sporting Infrastructure Program, which was announced following the cancellation of the regional Commonwealth Games last year.
