Design of velodrome critical

The designers of a proposed velodrome must have a proven track record, says a council report. Photo / File

Design is the critical factor if the proposed $15 million velodrome is to be a success, Napier City Council reports.

The project will be discussed at today's council meeting with NCC, which is currently completing the next stage of investigations into the construction of a multi-use velodrome facility in the region.

According to acting corporate services manager Adele Henderson, in order to meet the design requirements of such a project it is essential that designers with a proven track record in the design of multi-use indoor sports facilities be employed.

"And that a suitably experienced construction contractor be involved as early as possible," she said in her report to NCC.

"The construction contractor must be experienced in the construction of relevant complex multi-disciplinary projects.

"Significant value will be added to the project if the designers and construction contractor work as a team for the entire duration of the project, rather than the more traditional approach where a construction contract is procured after completion of the design."

Ms Henderson noted the reasons for her conclusion that velodromes are large scale technical facilities, tailored to specialist track cycling and multi-use purposes in the inner field and outlying reaches of the building housing the track.

"With this scale and complexity, and the need to deliver on the performance aspect of a sports facility, there comes design and build challenges which create risk," she said.

"Design of the facility is critical to the success of the project."

If the recommendations for the provisions of professional and construction services are approved, tenders for the project will be issued on or after tomorrow and will close on February 12, 2016. The outcomes will be advised in March 2016.

Earlier this year council included $5 million of funding in the 2015 to 2025 long term plan for the development of the velodrome, subject to the outcome of a detailed business case and partnership funding.

The successful tenders will work with council's project team to develop a preliminary design and costing which will be reviewed for the council by an independent quantity surveyor.

The design and costing will then be included in the detailed business case for council consideration.

Should the council resolve to not proceed beyond the preliminary design stage, then the contracts will end.