National indoor BMX centre opens in Manchester

How did Sportcity come about?
In early 2000, East Manchester was deemed the largest regeneration area within the UK and one of the most deprived parts of the country. But the 2002 Commonwealth Games provided a fantastic opportunity for East Manchester and the surrounding area, prompting the creation of Sportcity.

Tell us more about Sportcity…
Sportcity, located within the Medlock Valley of East Manchester, is a world class international sporting destination and is the new home of British cycling. This previously derelict land has undergone major environmental improvements and created new sporting and employment opportunities for local people.

Sportcity has successfully developed world-class sports and events venues that provide facilities for elite and professional athletes as well as developing a strong community programme. It is the chosen venue for over 400 events each year and receives over 4,500,000 visits annually.

Today it boasts the 48,000 seat City of Manchester Stadium which is now Manchester City Football Club, a National Squash Centre, the 6,500 seat Manchester Regional Arena, Velodrome, British Cycling headquarters, tennis centre and state-of-the-art gym, as well as the new National BMX Centre.

What about the Commonwealth Games 2002 legacy?
Sportcity is a shining example of how the legacy of a worldwide sporting event can help breathe life back into communities. The project demonstrates how physical regeneration can promote community cohesion, improve access to sport, promote healthier lifestyles, raise aspirations and encourage young people to take up cycling professionally.

Following the Games, major regeneration programmes have progressed, including Central Park, Ancoats and New Islington as well as Sportcity.

What’s special about the National BMX centre?
The new £24m BMX centre, based at the National Cycling Centre, will host major BMX events attracting riders from all over the world. The country’s top riders will train at the centre in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

But the centre is not just for elite riders – Manchester school children will have access to the track and keen local cyclists will be able to attend discounted ‘pay and ride’ sessions in the evenings and at weekends. Indeed, the Manchester Academy has already hired out the centre each Friday for the next year to give students the opportunity to take up cycling as part of the curriculum.

How did the opening event go?
BMX riders showcased their skills by taking part in a dirt jump demonstration and the final of the BMX Schools Launch showpiece, featuring Marcus Bloomfield - winner of the elite men’s category at the BMX British Championships 2011.

What was the HCA’s involvement?
Our investment in the new National BMX Centre forms part of our wider £9.9m funding commitment to the Sportcity Investment Programme. Our £2m funding for the BMX Centre has helped create a new bridge crossing the Ashton Canal and a network of pedestrian and cycle paths to improve accessibility and connectivity between the BMX Centre, the district centre and a new metrolink stop.

We’ve supported feasibility work to create a Velopark with dedicated mountain bike trails and the stabilisation and remediation of a 7 ha brownfield site. And we’re working with Manchester City Council and Manchester City Football Club to create a transformational plan for the area around the stadium as part of an agreement with Government to continue to invest in the area following the withdrawal of plans for a Super Casino in Manchester.