New velodrome sites emerge

Published on Tuesday 7 October 2008 10:01

THE Chris Hoys of the future could be training at a new velodrome in Leith or Niddrie, it emerged today.

With the ageing facility at Meadowbank set for demolition, concerns have been raised about the future of cycling in the Capital.

It is believed the council is looking at two locations for a new facility – at Hunters Hall, or a joint velodrome, canoe and judo centre at Leith Waterfront.

Deidre Brock, convener for culture and leisure, said: "We had meetings very recently with Scottish Cycling and they don't see a refurbishment of the velodrome at Meadowbank as a viable option. They don't mind if it is elsewhere in the city. Chris Hoy is calling for a training facility that is capable of low level competition but main competitions would be in Glasgow. That is certainly what we are heading towards."

A state-of-the-art velodrome will be built in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games,

Hoy said: "I would support any facility to continue this strong tradition of cycling in the east of Scotland. We should try not to lose the facility."