Canterbury Bankstown Council calls for NSW Government to take over former Olympic velodrome

Set to assume ownership of Olympic cycling venue the Dunc Gray Velodrome this month, the Canterbury Bankstown Council is calling on the NSW Government to take over the running of the Sydney 2000 facility.

The 11,000 metre² venue at Bass Hill in Sydney’s west will come under Council ownership when its current lease with Bankstown Sports Club ends.

However, the Council is concerned that the Velodrome, which caters primarily for elite cycling programs conducted by Cycling NSW and which loses around $500,000 a year, will become a burden on local ratepayers.

With the ownership deal having been struck by past administrations, over recent years the Council has become increasingly concerned about its impending ownership of the former Olympic venue – and its obligations to maintain and manage the venue.

Built for major events such as Olympic and Commonwealth Games, the specialist nature of velodromes makes them challenging to operate outside of elite competitions.

The Dunc Gray Velodrome’s location outside of Sydney Olympic Park makes this operation particularly challenging.

In a Mayoral minute at a recent Canterbury Bankstown Council meeting, Mayor Khal Asfour advised “as previously reported to Council, the lease of the Dunc Gray Velodrome to Bankstown District Sports Club, is scheduled to expire this year.

“At that time, it will become Council’s responsibility.

“Council has identified significant cost implications associated with both the ongoing operations and immediate capital upgrades which are beyond council’s ability to fund and are for provision of an international velodrome for the State of NSW, with little direct and tangible benefit for the majority of residents in our local community.

In response to this, a spokesperson for the NSW Office of Sport told local newspaper the Canterbury-Bankstown Express that they are working with the Council and Cycling NSW regarding its future.

The spokesperson advised “the group is considering a range of options for the velodrome within the Crest Sporting Precinct that will ensure it remains a viable sporting facility.”

A worst case scenario could see the Council shut down the Velodrome, which would be a major blow to elite cycling in NSW.

Image shows the Dunc Gray Velodrome.