An international cycling tournament which was scheduled to welcome back spectators to the Bellville Velodrome, has been postponed so that the City can complete it’s repairs to the facility.
The news was announced through a press release which was issued by event organiser Chris Willemse Promotions on Wednesday October 11.
Previously, Northern News reported on the Cape Town International Track Cycling Event, which was set to take place inside the stadium in March next year, according to Track Cycling SA and Western Province Track Cycling chairman Jaco Schols. (’Bellville Velodrome to host international cycling tournament in 2024’, Northern News, July 12).
However, due to the City’s repairs and maintenance to the facility, which is expected to occur in January next year, the tournament had to be postponed, according to Mr Willemse.
“Plans for two international cycling events for March 2024 at the Velodrome unfortunately had to be pushed back to a later date. However, unplanned repairs which includes; the lighting, the restoration of the track and the maintenance of the ablution facilities, put a hold on this project.
“These tracks need renovation and after several meetings with the Cape Town Metro Council, it was decided to postpone these events for the time being. The timeline of the repairs and refurbishment will overlap with the planned dates of these events,” Mr Willemse said.
When Northern News asked the City when the repairs will commence, mayoral committee member for community service and health, Patricia van der Ross, said: “The Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of finalising the project implementation plan regarding repairs at the Bellville Velodrome. Once the project plan has been finalised, a formal media release will be published to communicate all repair plans, including time-lines.
“Repairs to the facility have not yet commenced. Once the project implementation plan has been finalised, the department will implement the repairs.“
Despite the date of the two cycling events lying in limbo, the cycling federations are negotiating with foreign teams, Mr Willemse added
“We are well under way with negotiations to recruit several foreign teams for these two events. I am grateful for the sponsors with whom I have already negotiated with and that they understand the situation and that I can still count on their support for when the events will indeed be presented later.
“As the Olympic Games will take place so soon after the completion of the project, we will have to look at a date after the games in Paris.“
In July this year, Ms Van der Ross said the City would likely start repairs on the Velodrome in the 2023/2024 financial year.
“It is anticipated that the facility will be restored to what its original purpose was: a multi-use facility that will include sport. I can confirm that the City will repair both the athletic track as well as the Velodrome. The necessary assessments of the existing facilities need to be concluded before details can be determined,” she said at the time.
