The project cleared two of its most crucial hurdles late last year when Wagga City Council adopted the concept’s feasibility study, before signing off on its review of environmental factors.

Council then requested a $7.07 million slice of the state government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund for its construction on behalf of the group, which is now waiting with bated breath.

Council is hoping to have an answer by the end of the financial year, and if successful it would stump up the remaining $1.15 million.

A year would be allocated to the tender, design and construction planning process.

It would then take two years to build.

The complex’s features would include a 1.8 kilometre criterium track, a velodrome track with lights and an international standard BMX track.

A cycling education area, mountain bike playground and amenities building would also be constructed.

Paul Johanson, the convenor for the independent group pushing for the project, said the track was “imperative for the city”.

“We have lots of people taking up cycling in Wagga so a venue like this would really accommodate that growth,” he said.

“We see the criterium track in particular becoming a real hub of activity.

“It would also enhance our ability to host regional events.”

Johanson said Pomingalarna Park was the ideal site for a number of reasons.

“We already have a top quality mountain biking venue there for a start,” he said.

“It’s a well established area and it presents us with all the space we need to accommodate everything.

“That space is crucial because something like the velodrome is very large, and then you need more room for things like car parking.”

The group consists of stakeholders from Wagga Cycling Club, Tolland Cycle Club, Mountain Bike Wagga, Bicycle Wagga and Wagga Triathlon Club.