PIPELINED plans to build a multi-purpose cycling complex at Pomingalarna Park will give riders, skaters and runners the freedom to practise away from the city’s busy streets if Wagga’s cycling groups get their way.
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An impressive proposal for a multimillion-dollar facility has been drawn up by Wagga’s major cycling and triathlon groups, with the idea to give cyclists a safer place to ride while expanding the city’s sporting profile.
A lack of criterium facilities has been a problem faced by cycling groups in hopes of attracting nationwide events, however, the smart proposal has solved this long-term problem as well as introduced a host of other benefits to the city.
Speaking yesterday, Wagga Triathlon Club representative Adrian Hamilton said the proposal included plans for a BMX track, bicycle education facility, a velodrome and a 2.5 kilometre criterium track to meet the needs of a range of athletes in the city.
“We haven’t had a combined voice for a multi-purpose facility,” he told The Daily Advertiser.
“Wagga’s got a strong cycling background and cycling as a sport is growing massively, but the cycling groups understand it’s a long-term project, it’s not going to happen overnight.
“There’s a bit of a stigma about cyclists on the road, and with this facility a lot of the cyclists around the area would have another place to ride.
“That’s the main thing about it, it’s completely free.
“Families could go out there to ride bikes with their kids and it encourages them to get off the road – this facility ticks a lot of boxes.”
While the idea is to attract junior and senior events and championships to Wagga, the proposal also includes scope for marathon events, as well as triathlon and duathlon, all track cycling and other recreational activities, such as bird watching and orienteering.
Hamilton said the Pomingalarna location is ideal, with pre-existing parking facilities and a top class mountain bike track already in place, while the cycling track at Wagga Cricket Ground is outdated and out of touch with other facilities in the state.
“This would be a whole new facility, not just for cyclists but for in-line skaters and road runners,” he said.
“Wagga’s the biggest inland city in NSW, we host a lot of events and we’re very well known as a sporting town.
“Cyclists tend to spend a lot of money when they travel; they bring their families and stay for a few days for events and they spend their money in town.
“We have Robertson Oval and Equex Centre for rugby league and netball – cycling is just as important as any of those other sports and there’s no reason we can’t have a great regional facility to host big events.”
Hamilton said Wagga City Council had been very receptive to the proposal.
“Council has been very supportive, we’ve had meetings with the mayor and the general manager, but we believe any decision that’s based on a cycling facility in Wagga should be agreed to by all the cycling parties,” he said.
“We don’t want them to spend a great deal of money and have it not meet our needs properly.”