Works to resurface the Hurstville Oval velodrome have been completed, returning the historic venue to a first class facility for cyclists.
Georges Rives Council restored the velodrome to its former glory, made possible through grant funding provided to St George Cycling Club and also Cycling NSW through the State Government’s Strong Communities Program.
Long-standing St George president Phill Bates said the club was delighted to receive council funding for the improvements.
“The track had not been resurfaced since 1988 and was well overdue. It took the amalgamation of the former Kogarah City and Hurstville City Councils to bring this to fruition,” he said.
“I am grateful to the administrator John Rayner, general manager Gail Connolly and director assets and infrastructure Laurie O'Connor for their assistance in this project.
“The club will now be able to stage major open meetings at Hurstville Oval throughout next summer, attracting world champions and the most pleasing aspect is that Hurstville Oval will once again be one of the most picturesque sporting fields in the state."
Mr Rayner said the project was made possible through through council topping up the grants provided to St George Cycling Club and Cycling NSW.
“Both of these clubs were awarded $50,000 each through the program to go towards the resurfacing of this venue,” he said.
“While this was a good start, the cyclists were still more than $77,000 short of funding to complete the project. Council was pleased to contribute the extra funding towards the project to ensure its completion.
“In undertaking this project council rehabilitated the course by correcting the surface of the track with an asphalt overlay. The resurfacing of this venue will lead to a great many benefits to members of the local community by reigniting the presence of competitive cycling in Hurstville and the local area.”
Cycling NSW chief executive Phil Ayres also thanked council for “ensuring the longevity of this vital piece of cycling infrastructure”.
"Suburban and regional cycling tracks are the nursery for our sport. They are an important step before riders graduate to Olympic-level indoor venues,” he said.
“Every Olympic cyclist started their track cycling on tracks like Hurstville Oval, itself the breeding ground for countless Australian reps since competition began at the oval in 1906.”