A public consultation event on the plans for the world's first purpose-built indoor BMX arena in east Manchester will take place on 4 August at the Manchester Velodrome at Sportcity from 3pm to 8pm.

This follows the approval of £8.5 million of funding by Manchester City Council earlier this month.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the 110, 000 sq foot building will, with the existing Manchester Velodrome form the National Cycling Centre, the home of British cycling. It will include a 2,000 seater capacity BMX arena and offices for the headquarters of the British Cycling Federation.


Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: "The event is an opportunity for everyone with an interest in the scheme to learn more. Information about the existing facilities and future plans with artists' impressions will be on display on the day. "There'll be the chance to find out about the benefits the scheme will bring to the area, ask questions and make comments. We want to hear local residents' thoughts and opinions on the proposals so we hope as many people as possible can make it to this consultation event next week."

Subject to all funding and planning approval, work on the £24 million BMX scheme at Sportcity in east Manchester will start on site by January 2010 with completion by March 2011.

(CD/JM)