New Zealand's first indoor velodrome

New Zealand's first indoor cycling velodrome is nearing completion and will be opened in Invercargill by the country's Prime Minister, Helen Clark, on Friday, May 26.

The $10 million multi-purpose extension to the successful Stadium Southland houses the wooden 250 metre board track, plus a further four netball courts. The facility also is the home to many of Southland's sporting codes who have made the 'ILT Velodrome' building their home.

A cycling carnival, featuring an Australian and New Zealand series, will be a feature of the opening celebrations. Cycling Southland's development manager said the sport loving public of Southland were in for a treat, with riders like Mark French and Nicholas Sanderson leading the Australian challenge.

The entire Stadium is now a flurry of activity as it gears up to the opening celebrations on May 26. Over 100 cyclists are expected to be competing on the opening night with the second session of the carnival being held on Sunday afternoon.

Phogography

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Images by Bruce Ross

• New Zealand's first indoor velodrome is part of a multi-purpose extension to the successful Stadium Southland
• Enjoying the surface of New Zealand's first indoor velodrome
• Testing the track in Invercargill