Major plans to carry out urgent repairs at Manchester Velodrome have been approved after concerns were expressed about its long-term future.
Numerous structural, mechanical and electrical failures have been identified at the 26-year-old building which forms part of the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre.
A report submitted with the planning application warned that if ‘catastrophic' failings forced the complex to close, investment in Manchester would dry up and renowned cycling events would relocate to other UK cities.
Manchester council, which developed the Velodrome alongside British Cycling and Sports England, has insisted the headquarters of Team GB’s cycling team is ‘structurally sound’.
But like the Manchester Aquatics Centre, where £31m repairs have been touted, the town hall wants to bring the Velodrome up to modern standards and protect its long-term future.
Work could start after the Tokyo Olympics which are scheduled to take place this July and August, allowing Team GB to continue their training at the Velodrome.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, executive member for skills, culture and leisure, said: "The Velodrome is a structurally sound building, but is now more than 25 years old and work is needed to future-proof it for the coming decades.
"We have made a long-term commitment to cycling in Manchester and have been working with British Cycling to thoroughly assess the building.
“This refurbishment scheme will bring the Velodrome up to modern standards, benefitting Team GB and all the Manchester residents who enjoy using the facility by keeping our city at the forefront of this exciting sport.”
The project’s budget has yet to be finalised by the council’s executive, but the work proposed would see extensive upgrades inside and outside the Velodrome.
Lighting, seating, CCTV, all suspended ceilings, lifts, and trackside facilities will all be replaced.
New scoreboard and timing systems will also be fitted, while repairs would also be made to the building’s roof.
Like the proposed repairs at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, the council also wants to use greener technologies to replace parts of the building - such as the gas boilers - in its bid to become zero-carbon by 2038.
Jamie Obank, chief operating officer of British Cycling, said: “We are proud to call the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre our home and are delighted that planning approval has been granted for substantial renovation works, which will benefit the sport’s biggest stars, our team of staff and the thousands of riders of all ages and abilities who enjoy riding and racing on the track every year.”
The Velodrome opened in 1994 is seen as the most important ‘legacy outcome’ of Manchester’s hosting of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
