Anna Meares Velodrome officially opened

Published Sunday, 13 November, 2016 at 09:40 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Queensland’s new $59 million Anna Meares Velodrome, home of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Track Cycling competition, was today opened at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler.

The world-class venue and the state’s first indoor velodrome, features an international competition standard 250 metre timber cycling track.

The Anna Meares Velodrome will be used by elite training squads and for competition events, with national track championships already confirmed for 2017 and 2018.

In opening the venue, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Anna Meares an official Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games ambassador.

 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said:

“The Anna Meares Velodrome will play host to the Commonwealth’s best cyclists in April 2018, while also providing an important legacy for cycling in Queensland.

“It is fitting that our new world-class venue has been named after Anna Meares, a Queensland cycling champion. It gives me great pleasure to announce Anna will also be an ambassador for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, joining Sally Pearson and Cam McEvoy.

“Anna’s remarkable career includes both Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games medals, as well as multiple world and national championship titles.

“It is no doubt Anna’s legend will inspire our next generation of elite track cyclists, some of whom be will training and competing in this venue over the coming years. Queensland’s next great track cyclist may very well be present here today.”

 

 Federal Minister for Sport Sussan Ley said:

“The completion of the velodrome is a major milestone in the delivery of world class infrastructure for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“The Anna Meares Velodrome will deliver community facilities that meet international standards for local and visiting athletes and will continue to attract elite athletes and world-class cycling events to Australia in the future.

“This new venue will create an exciting atmosphere for spectators to be close to the track and feel the speed of modern cycling. The Australian Government has provided $36 million to this project, ensuring community usage of this facility will be extended for the next 20 years and beyond.

“This is one of a number of projects that reflects the Australian Government’s $156 million investment in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which aims to provide a legacy into the future, not just for South-East Queensland, but for the nation as a whole.”

 

 Treasurer and Minister for Sport, Curtis Pitt:

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring that, where possible, Commonwealth Games job and business opportunities benefit Queenslanders and the velodrome project alone is generating up to 185 full-time equivalent jobs during design and construction,” Mr Pitt said.

“This has been a great local jobs generator that’s generated work for businesses from Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast including piling, civil works, concrete, reinforcement, scaffolding, formwork, roof fabric and plant hire.

“Local firm Beenleigh Steel Fabrications has invested around 30,000 workshop hours delivering all the steel fabrication, including the intricate roof centrepiece, the ‘oculus’.

“And it will continue delivering into the future as a significant addition to Queensland’s enviable sports infrastructure.”

  

Minister for the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe said:

“The velodrome is part of a $320 million investment into sport and community infrastructure for the Games.

“More than 1,400 workers were inducted on-site during the life of the project, which generated work for businesses from Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast.

“This world-class facility will not only play host to the 2018 Commonwealth Games track cycling, it will also leave a lasting legacy of fantastic sporting and community infrastructure.

“The Anna Meares Velodrome is an investment in the future of the sport and will help recruit a new generation of home-grown cyclists and ensure we keep them here in Queensland.

“Queensland has a proud history of producing outstanding track cycling athletes and the new indoor facility will ensure local cycling continues to grow and develop long into the future.”

  

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chairman Peter Beattie AC said:

“It is great to welcome Anna Meares to the GC2018 family. The appointment of Anna as our third ambassador along with the opening of this terrific facility are key milestones on the road to GC2018.

“Anna has been a terrific competitor throughout her career and I have no doubt she will inspire young Australians to follow their dreams and in this new role help shape the Games experience for many.

“We now have Anna, Cam McEvoy and Sally Pearson ready to take GC2018 to the rest of the Commonwealth. 

“The benefits of inviting the world to our shores cannot be underestimated. GC2018 is the largest event to be held in this country this decade. The benefits of hosting this international event will leave a positive legacy and significant reminder of GC2018 for many years to come.”

 

Anna Meares OAM said:

“I’m excited to join the Gold Coast 2018 family and share the dream with Australia and the rest of the world.

“Sally (Pearson) and Cameron (McEvoy) are wonderful athletes and Ambassadors; and I’m pleased to stand with them to inspire passion and participation in these home Commonwealth Games.

“I’m excited to play a role beyond competing. I’ll be encouraging everyone to experience the greatness of these Games - this will be the largest sporting event in Australia this decade and the ticket pricing announced last week makes it affordable to see it live in person.”

 

The Anna Meares Velodrome was funded by the Queensland Government and Australian Government.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from 4 - 15 April 2018.

For more information on the Games visit www.gc2018.com.

ENDS