Completed cycling track paves way for Games velodrome

The cycling track for Queensland’s first indoor velodrome has been completed, laying the groundwork for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018). 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe today visited the site to inspect the track and meet some of the 90 workers currently to complete the world-class velodrome in coming months.

“In total, more than 1400 workers have been involved in the construction of the $59 million velodrome project. I thank them for the work. This will be a world-class facility,” the Premier said.

“I would like to pay tribute to companies like Beenleigh Steel Fabrications. They invested 30,000 workshop hours into the fabrication of the steel, employing an additional 12 staff to carry out the work.

“Carrara-based company Superior Walls and Ceilings have also been a major subcontractor on the project, with between 20 and 30 workers from the company on site at any one time building the doors, partitions, walls and ceiling.

“This venue will not only cater to the competing track cyclists from up to 71 nations and territories during the Games, but provide the South-East Queensland community with an ongoing venue for training and competition.”

“This spectacular velodrome would attract more elite cycling competitions to Brisbane into the future.”

The spectacular track was built by German family business SportBAU Schuermann GMBH, who are among the world’s most experienced velodrome track builders, having delivered 143 tracks throughout the world since 1926.

The builders have a strong record delivering fantastic cycling infrastructure and have built tracks at seven Olympic and two Commonwealth Games venues.

The international competition standard 250-metre timber cycling track at our velodrome ensures the delivery of another world-class facility for GC2018 and beyond.

Mr Hinchliffe said the Queensland State Velodrome’s 1165 tonne steel superstructure is around the same weight as two A380s or 150 concrete trucks, and due to the complexity of the design’s shape, more than 4000 fabrication drawings were completed for the structural steel.

“With 611 days to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games it is exciting to see construction progressing well on our state’s first indoor velodrome, with the 1165 tonne steel superstructure complete and the track installed and certified,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Long after the conclusion of the Games in April 2018, the Queensland State Velodrome will provide a fantastic legacy for the community, attracting elite training squads, as well as larger national and international cycling events to Queensland.”

“It really is a very impressive venue and I know one that will be well received by the community and competitors alike,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“With its locality to the Brisbane Super X BMX Track and a design incorporating a range of additional community sport and recreation uses including mixed-use sport courts and function spaces, it will create a new hub for community and elite cyclists in South East Queensland.” 

Mike Victor OAM from Cycling Queensland and Board Member of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation and Queensland Division President of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association said the Queensland State Velodrome would be a significant legacy of the Games, providing sporting development opportunities for the local community and elite cycling in Queensland.

“This facility will attract elite training squads and competition events to South East Queensland. Already, Cycling Queensland has announced national championship events planned for the venue in 2017 and 2018,” he said.

“South East Queensland business is also benefitting from the investment in sporting and community infrastructure with over 1400 workers inducted on-site at the velodrome to date.

“The 2018 Commonwealth Games are providing a unique opportunity for Queensland to leave a lasting legacy for business, industry, sporting and community groups.”

The track was formally inspected by an official Union Cyclist Internationale representative for certification as an international competition venue in July. 

With the track works now complete, the finishing touches will be applied to the remainder of the building and external works before the venue is officially opened later in the year.

The Queensland State Velodrome project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Australian Government. 

Velodrome construction highlights: 

Spoil removed: 30,000m3

Steel fabrication workshop hours: 30,000

Structural steel installed: 1165 tonne

Reinforced concrete installed: 3600m3

VNR media resources: 

Timelapse of the track being built: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEop3BXerBI 

Timelapse of steel superstructure and interviews with the track builder and cyclists:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhy7TMH2iiQ

Media Contacts: 

Kirby Anderson 0417 263 791 (Premier’s Office)

Jessica Hill 0475 950 772 (Minister Hinchliffe’s Office)