Sparks fly over controversial national velodrome proposal

The trust is relying on funding from Waikato Regional council and Waipa District Council. Photo / Thinkstock

The controversial proposal to build a $28.5 million national velodrome in the Waikato is turning into a political stoush.

The Waikato Regional Council has the final say over whether the National Cycling Centre of Excellence will be built at St Peter's School near Cambridge.

It has been receiving feedback from the public about whether ratepayers should shell out $6 million to the velodrome and Bike NZ headquarters.

The trust is relying on funding from the regional council and a further $1 million from Waipa District Council to help it get the 80 per cent or $22.8 million project funding.

That figure is the benchmark set by government agency Sparc (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) before the location can be confirmed.

The regional council will then be forced to make a quick decision on September 14, a date which coincides with the final deadline Sparc gave to the Home of Cycling Trust to secure most of the money.

The trust was confirmed as the preferred bidder over Auckland and Palmerston North and was given an extra four months to get its finances in order and gain local government support.

The deadline for public submissions to the regional council about whether ratepayers supported the spending closed at 4pm yesterday and just under 7000 have been received. Public hearings on the submissions have been set for September 6 and 7.

But the Herald can reveal the regional council has received a complaint alleging three Rates Control councillors - Russ Rimmington, Jane Hennebry and Tony Armstrong - have already made up their minds to vote against the velodrome.

Should the complaint be upheld, the trust could have an easier chance of convincing the council to support the new performance centre because the majority of the other councillors have previously supported the proposal led by former Olympians Rob Waddell and Sarah Ulmer and Waikato businessman Simon Perry.

Hamilton resident Paul Fear wrote to the council complaining about the three councillors at a meeting hosted by Grey Power and Hamilton Citizens and Ratepayers Association at the Celebrating Age Centre in Hamilton last month. "The councillors were in full flight in opposition of the project. How could they possibly be independent if they are violently opposed to the project?" Mr Fear told the Herald.

Mr Rimmington said the letter was an attempt to gag the three councillors before hearing the submissions early next month and the crucial vote about whether to contribute $6 million.

Councillor Jane Hennebry felt she had acted appropriately and councillor Tony Armstrong said it would be ironic to say he was against the cycling centre when he had a strong involvement in sport.

Meanwhile, the two other regions shortlisted for the velodrome - Palmerston North and Auckland - are ready to step up if the Home of Cycling Trust does not get the council's support next month.

But trust chairman Mr Waddell said feedback from the community had been positive because people could see the huge economic and social benefits of the velodrome.

The trust has already secured more than $12.7 million for the project and support from the two councils would lift funding to more than $19.7 million or 69 per cent of the total required.