Midvale SpeedDome to become world-class after WA Govt funding commitment

ON the eve of the Rio Olympic Games, the State Government has announced it will spend $2.52 million upgrading the Midvale SpeedDome.

Sport and Recreation Minister Mia Davies said the Government was committed to providing world-class facilities for West Australian athletes to train and compete in.

“The track was installed in 1989 and has been the training ground for some of our greatest Western Australian cycling champions, including Paul Clohessy, who won a gold and bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games for men’s tandem cycling,” she said.

“It has also been the training venue for cyclists Sam Welsford and Melissa Hoskins, who are both competing in the Rio Olympic Games.”

The Minister said the upgrade would include installing a new 250m timber velodrome cycle track and replacing the roof.

“Over the past year, the high-grade Siberian pine circular track has deteriorated faster than expected, and for the track to continue to be classified as UCI level 2 and be used for national and international events, it will need to be replaced,” she said.

“The upgrades will ensure the venue continues to operate to international training and competition standards.”

Over the past 27 years, the SpeedDome has hosted State, national and international events, including the prestigious 1997 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.

VenuesWest owns the venue on behalf of the State Government and the funding will come from its existing capital works budget.

The upgrades will also include minor works such as internal painting, upgrades to fire pumps, sprinklers and sewer works, and are expected to be completed by mid-2017.