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New Edmonton velodrome plans unveiled

Edmonton velodrome plans unveiled.

Edmonton velodrome plans unveiled.

Plans for a new indoor velodrome and sports complex in Edmonton have been released to the public.

The new centre would replace the aging hockey arena in Coronation Park and provide an alternative to the old, outdoor Argyll velodrome in the city.

The plans were unveiled Tuesday evening to an impressed crowd of community members. The plans include an indoor 250-m velodrome, a running track, and fitness and weight centre. It would also have an indoor pathway connecting it to the Peter Hemingway pool. Between the two centres, the complex would provide the only completely indoor triathlon training centre in North America.

Don Iveson, Edmonton’s mayor, noted that he supports the project, but there are other potential projects in the works. The velodrome will have to compete for funding in the fall budget just like any other infrastructure project in the city.

Some initial concerns were that the centre would take up green space in Coronation Park, which is already at a premium. Since the centre is to replace an old hockey arena, project managers were able to find a design that works with the park.

A 2012 estimate pegged the cost at $100 million, $20 million of which would come from separate fundraising.

If approved and funded, construction could begin as early as 2015.