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Meadowbank "swansong"?? (Help wanted)

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    Sent to ERC members -

    "
    Subject: Assistance with Meadowbank bid

    The club has expressed an interest in running the Meadowbank track for the summer of 2014. This is likely to be the last season of it’s existence and it deserves a glorious swan song.

    There are plenty of opportunities on which we can capitalise
    . The Sir Chris Hoy velodrome will be closed in June, July and August for the Commonwealth games
    . Our youth riders have used the track on Friday evenings for several years and as a result they have developed a wider interest in cycling. We wish this to continue.
    . Club members caught the track bug during our recent club session at Glasgow, we would have the opportunity to repeat this closer to home
    . The SCH velodrome has increased the number of track riders in Scotland.
    . The facility has never been marketed to the wider community.

    If you are interested in helping to develop our bid or want to be part of the organising team please contact Rob Bloor (bloor.rob@gmail.com) or Phil Darby (phildarby@hotmail.com).

    Specific tasks could include
    1. An insurance specialist
    2. Plumber
    3. Electrician
    4. Grass cutter
    5. Anything else you can bring to the table including time and enthusiasm

    As ever, your club needs you.

    "

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    maybe someone should propose a human powered race?

    http://www.bhpc.org.uk/1events.aspx

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/meadowbank-cash-boost-aims-for-stadium-revival-1-3472658

    New money - but presumably just the main stadium.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. crowriver
    Member

    The current Council 'vision' for Meadowbank here:

    http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/1412/council_outlines_vision_for_meadowbank

    Note that Option 3 includes an indoor velodrome.....but it is consodered "that it would be difficult to secure this level of funding in the current economic climate."

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "difficult to secure this level of funding in the current economic climate"

    Whatever that means!

    With this 'new' money maybe it's back on as a possibility.

    Certainly much better than the concrete bowl proposed for Hunters Hall.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  6. crowriver
    Member

    Oh and I recommend looking at this report:

    http://bit.ly/18C0NJv

    The decision of the Sport Committee in December in full:

    5. Meadowbank Sports Centre and Stadium: options appraisal and
    stakeholder engagement

    Details on the options appraisal commissioned by the Council with regard to Meadowbank Sports Centre and Stadium were presented. Three options had been provided for consideration.

    Decision
    1) To consider the results of the options appraisal and stakeholder engagement.
    2) To note that a detailed feasibility study would also explore other sources of funding, including from the private sector, with a view to minimising the call on the Council’s capital contribution.
    3) To note that work was ongoing to assess the social, sporting, health and economic impacts of a new Meadowbank, including a community stadium and this would be included in any detailed feasibility study.
    4) To note that development costs of £300k would be required to proceed with a feasibility study to RIBA Stage C (incorporating community consultation and full business case development), and that this would need to be identified in the revenue budget for 2014/15.
    5) To recommend that any financial impacts that arose from the report be considered when setting the Council’s budget for 2014/15 and beyond, and adjustments to be made as appropriate.
    6) To request that regular updates were provided to, and the relevant approvals were sought from the appropriate Council committees.
    7) To refer the report to Full Council on 6 February 2014 to consider the allocation of £300k to allow the completion of the feasibility study, community consultation and full business case development.

    (Reference – report by the Director of Corporate Governance, submitted)

    Declarations of Interest
    Councillors Balfour, Booth and Lewis declared non-financial interests in the above item as Directors of Edinburgh Leisure.

    From: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3182/culture_and_sport_committee

    Posted 10 years ago #

  7. crowriver
    Member

    From the report linked to above:

    [i]2.6 Amongst the issues raised during the stakeholder engagement which are detailed in the full report, the following issues and associated funding sources would need to be addressed during any further detailed feasibility work:
     the question of the appropriate level of provision required for athletics in Edinburgh (a regional training facility, similar in scale to Aberdeen Sports Village, or a smaller scale community training facility, similar to the Ayrshire Athletics Arena in Kilmarnock);
     Scottish Rugby is keen to have access to a 10,000 capacity stadium; this has been explored as part of this study. The initial cost estimates for this are in the region of an additional £27.5m.
     Scottish Cycling is supportive of a suitable regional track training facility which could be outdoors and options for this are currently being explored as part of a project appraisal for the Jack Kane Centre and Hunter’s Hall Park. (The Council has already committed £1.25m for cycling facilities at this location).

    Posted 10 years ago #

  8. crowriver
    Member

    Also:

    2.14 The financial modeling shows the funding and affordability gap for each option.
    Discussions are at an early stage with sportscotland who would consider grant funding to help the Council meet the funding gap for whichever option is chosen. Also, a detailed feasibility would explore other sources of funding, including the private sector, with a view to minimise the call on the Council’s capital contribution.
    2.15 Disposal of excess land is critical to the funding of the project and this will need to be considered by Council. Option 3, the provision of a community stadium and/or indoor velodrome, would require significant additional funding and this would require to be addressed during the detailed feasibility work. However, dialogue with Scottish Rugby and Scottish Cycling will continue with a view to determining the potential for any additional funding packages.

    Detailed costings are in the report.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    So, I reckon there might be scope for members of ERC, and members of Scottish Cycling to lobby for an indoor velodrome to be included (and grant funded by Scottish Cycling).

    What we do not know is how much the SportScotland grant was (multi-million pound is a bit vague). Nor do we know which of the three options the grant application was made for.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  10. chdot
    Admin

    Some history, note the date!

    "

    City of Edinburgh District Council

    Press Release

    22 April 1981

    VELODROME RECONDITIONED
    IN SELF-HELP PROJECT

    Raleigh Contribute to Coaching Scheme

    Thanks largely to the efforts of a voluntary workforce of young cyclists, Meadowbank Sports Centre's Velodrome track surface has been repaired at a fraction of the estimated cost and a new coaching scheme will start in May to encourage newcomers to the sport.

    The self-help scheme started some two years ago, when the Velodrome was in a poor state of maintenance and faced possible closure.

    It was estimated that it would cost about £35,000 to prevent further deterioration and to put the racing surface back into a proper, safe condition and when it became clear there was little hope of finding such a sum, the Meadowbank National Track League organized a volunteer force of young members, working under the direction of the City Architect, Mr Brian Annable, to remove deficiencies in the track and allow their sport to continue

    As a result of this initiative, the City of Edinburgh in co-operation with T I Raleigh Ltd, the world's leading cycle manufacturers, have provided funds for reconditioning the Centre's stock of 9 racing machines and the purchase of 11 new, professional standard bicycles; floodlighting improvements and lap score boards. The aim of the new training scheme - to be set up by the Meadowbank National Track League on Tuesday evenings until September - is to encourage secondary school pupils and other beginners, using the reconditioned machines under expert coaching. The new bicycles will be allocated to "cyclists of exceptional promise" who are unable to afford their own track machine, as part of the League's training scheme for high-fliers.

    The contract with T I Raleigh .Ltd, is based on specially negotiated favourable terms as part of the firms obgectlve of providing support to cycle racing, and the new scheme will be inaugurated on Tuesday, May 5, when Mr Dennis Hensby, Sales Director of the Company, hands to the Lord Provost, the Rt Hon Tom Morgan, a cheque for £750 for the maintenance of the 11 professional standard machines, in a ceremony at the Velodrome.

    "

    Posted 9 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    Also

    "

    Hoy began his career at the Edinburgh facility, as did fellow former world gold medallist Craig MacLean and former world champion Graeme Obree, who twice broke the world hour record.

    "It's got such great history in the east and so many fantastic riders have come out of Meadowbank," recalled Hoy.

    "It's where I started, Craig MacLean too. Graeme Obree set the British record there.

    "I saw Eddie Alexander's bronze medal there in 1986 and thought that looks fun."

    "

    http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/25360327

    Posted 9 years ago #

  12. chdot
    Admin

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/meadowbank-sports-centre-could-be-demolished-by-autumn-2017-1-4043310

    (No mention of the velodrome.)

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. crowriver
    Member

    "City chiefs are also keen to make land around the existing centre available for the development of hundreds of new homes, as well as student accommodation with space for 1200 beds."

    There's your answer.

    No doubt why the new Meadowbank is so close to London Road: we'll lose all that grass area, maybe even the extra wide pavement. Pity as the paved area behind the main pavement is a good unofficial bike shortcut from Wishaw Terrace round to the entrance of Meadowbank centre.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. crowriver
    Member

    Beeb story on this has better images. Facilities actually look pretty good, except of course there is no velodrome at all.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-35726113

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    "

    But the city council is poised to demolish the crumbling outdoor velodrome in Meadowbank where Skinner started out and has no planned replacement as part of the sport facility’s £41.1 million re-development.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/leith/callum-skinner-urges-edinburgh-to-invest-in-indoor-velodrome-1-4206207

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I'll stick my neck out here and ask whether Scotland actually needs two world-class indoor velodromes, certainly in the central belt?

    Building a new velodrome in Edinburgh doesn't improve access to track cycling as a sport for anyone outside of Edinburgh or perhaps the Borders, given the relative proximity of Glasgow.

    I'm sure Scotland will continue to produce world-leading track cyclists given the newer and better facilities an hour along the M8 in Glasgow.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. Baldcyclist
    Member

    +1

    Invest in 3 or 4 outdoor tracks scattered accross the country, only Edinburgh and Dundee currently have them.

    Those will be great for getting people interested, if folks become 'good' then they can progress to specialised coaching in Glasgow (or Manchester if really really good ;) ).

    Posted 8 years ago #

  18. chdot
    Admin

    "I'll stick my neck out here and ask whether Scotland actually needs two world-class indoor velodromes, certainly in the central belt?"

    I think the simple answer is no.

    Basically we shouldn't be where we are - in the sense of decades of disinterest by 'Edinburgh' in track racing/Meadowbank resulting in the Glasgow Velodrome being built.

    Presumably so that it could win the Commonwealth Games. I'm sure there is very little desire for another CG here.

    We are in a strange place. Track racing is currently 'hot' because of the Olympics - and, more importantly, vast amounts of Lottery money.

    To some extent it's random co-incidence that two major players - Hoy and Skinner are 'from' Edinburgh - and (probably) wouldn't have become trackstars without Meadowbank.

    Chris Hoy had a father who drove him all over the UK for BMX races, so 'just' going to Glasgow wouldn't have been a problem.

    I think that this Olympics will finally demonstrate conclusively that elite sport may inspire a few to achieve similar in the future but the idea that will be a "legacy" of increased sport/activity by the masses isn't going to happen - though it might with money being spent on people to run youth/sports clubs.

    So elite sport, apart from for a few (sometimes disturbingly!) extra-motivated people, isn't about "sport". It's entertainment.

    So maybe a need for some sort of multi-sport venue primarily for spectators!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  19. crowriver
    Member

    Yeah, I've come around to the idea that an outdoor track (presumably concrete/tarmac?) at Craigmillar is probably the right option. It retains a facility, arguably improves on the current wooden track which is lethal when wet, and doesn't cost 'too much' relative to the impact for cycling clubs, etc.

    Yet more housing in Meadowbank may bring the area to life a bit more (currently quite quiet), but will also increase motor traffic, hence worsening conditions for ordinary cyclists...

    Posted 8 years ago #

  20. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    I believe (though hope to be mistaken) that the Caird Park velodrome is soon to close.

    Its easy to argue that despite having pretty rubbish facilities, we have still managed to produce a couple of world class atheletes.

    What would be interesting to see, is how many youngsters in Glasgow have gone along to try the track sessions at the hoydome.

    Its reasonable to assume that anyone already involved in the sport (cycling in general) might be happy to take a wee trip from Ayrshire, Central or Lothians to have a wee shot, but I doubt many folk travel to do so who are not already associated with a cycling club.

    How many more Edinburgh youngsters might have tried the track at meadowbank if you could just pitch up at certain times for a wee shot. Being roofless and weather dependant, that was nigh on impossible.

    Admitedly, we may not have produced any more gold medal winning track cyclist than we have already, but I bet we'd have a lot more bairns (and then adults) on bikes.

    A covered velodrome doesnt have to include the offices etc that Glasgow and Manchester do. It could easilly be afforded and built if there was any will amongst politicians to encourage the sport. Sadly, ours don't even seem to have the will to encourage it as a means of getting about

    Posted 8 years ago #

  21. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Callum Skinner, now a gold and silver Olympic medallist, was a pupil at James Gillespie’s and an enthusiastic track cyclist who spent most of his spare time at Meadowbank pushing himself to the limit at the velodrome.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/curling/from-idolising-chris-hoy-to-olympic-medalist-father-of-callum-skinner-discusses-his-son-s-dream-olympic-games-1-4207323

    Posted 8 years ago #

  22. chdot
    Admin

    "

    There was Commonwealth bronze in ’86, though.

    "Yes, I beat Paul McHugh in the sprint ride off.

    "It rained a lot and there was a lot of waiting – a very stressful experience, but I learned a lot.

    "

    http://www.veloveritas.co.uk/2012/11/14/eddie-alexander-interview

    Posted 8 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    "

    However, with the demise of the Meadowbank Velodrome and the growing popularity of the Sir Chris Hoy track, Edinburgh’s position of dominance has been overtaken by riders from the west of Scotland and there are fewer youngsters coming through.

    "

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/cycling/evan-oliphant-and-phil-trodden-are-edinburgh-s-main-cycling-medal-hopes-1-4284334

    I think it's going to survive for another year(?)

    Posted 8 years ago #

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