Engineers are on site this week at the Cooks Gardens facility drilling test bores for the supports for the Velodrome roof. Core samples will be gathered and sent away for analysis. Video/Bevan Conley.
It's now or never if Whanganui's velodrome is to be roofed.
The wooden track is 20 years old and won't survive much longer without adequate cover, says Leigh Grant from the Regional Development Velodrome Trust.
"The wooden track has been open to the elements for 20 years. Experts tell usthere is limited time left," Mr Grant said.
Four previous attempts to add a roof have failed. Mr Grants says the track won't last long enough for a sixth attempt. If left unroofed, the velodrome will need rebuilding within six years.
"It's now or never. But we are positive that this time we will get there."
Once the results are through - in about two months - they will be incorporated into a geotech report that will determine the foundation design to house five large arches that will support the roof.
"We're not too worried what we find - but we need to know what's down there so we can come up with the right engineering design," Mr Grant said.
Four test bores are to be drilled down to a depth of 20 metres.
Photo/Bevan Conley
Sound testing four months ago indicated an absence of any nasties or surprises. "We won't know for sure until we do the core sampling but it's all looking very good at this stage. We don't anticipate any problems."
Mr Grant said the trust has raised $3 million so far and that continues to climb as awareness of its Supporter 5000 club spreads.
"We are hoping for a considerable contribution from Government but we do not know how much that will be."
Neighbouring councils and businesses were also getting behind the project, he said.
"The velodrome is an important regional asset. Roofed, it will provide a significant economic development opportunity."
That included the only covered in-line skating track in the southern hemisphere.
"It's all got very exciting all of a sudden. Things are starting to happen and we need now to focus on finalising the design."
Mr Grant said meetings would be held next week with cycling and in-line skating representatives to finalise what features they want to see incorporated into the design.
