Work today officially commenced on construction of Wagga Wagga’s new $9.2 million multisport cycling complex at Pomingalarna Reserve with the turning of the first sod by the Acting Minister for Sport.
The complex on the city’s western outskirts will cater for competitive and recreational cyclists and feature a criterium track, jump tracks and pump tracks, cycling education area, velodrome and supporting infrastructure.
The project, which is being managed by Wagga Wagga City Council, is funded through a $7 million grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund and is one of 21 projects in regional NSW to benefit from $100 million in sports infrastructure funding.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the multisport cycling complex was an example of the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the quality and quantity of sports venues in regional NSW.
“High quality sports facilities like the Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex encourage participation and improve performance at all levels,” Mr Lee said.
“They also enable regional communities to host regional, state, national and international events.
“These events attract visitors, encourage spending in regional communities which creates employment and stronger regional economies.
“With 300 jobs created during construction of the complex, this project will also boost local employment as the region recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 on the local economy.”
Nationals MLC, Wes Fang, said the cycling complex would provide the Riverina a world-class sport and recreation venue for people of all abilities.
“The Regional Sports Infrastructure Fund invests in projects that ensure regional NSW has a network of spaces and places that enable participation in sport and active recreation at all levels,” Mr Fang said.
“With sport and active recreation a key part of the Riverina lifestyle, the Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex will provide a venue that will allow the community to enjoy all the benefits that cycling offers.”
Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, paid tribute to the Wiradjuri and First Nations women of the Wagga region for the passion and commitment they showed in helping bring this project to fruition and to the cycle clubs that have worked so hard and collaboratively with council.
Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said the multi-sport cycling complex had the potential to promote and elevate Wagga Wagga as the best regional venue for elite cycling events.
“This will be a fantastic development when the complex is finished…no doubt it will be one of the best in the State,” Cr Conkey said.
“Wagga Wagga’s track record for hosting top level fixtures in recent years is proven and that means we are getting all sports knocking on our city’s door wanting to utilise Wagga Wagga as an ideal location with excellent facilities.
“Having another facility of this calibre will mean cycling events of all disciplines will be lining up to come to this great city to host their events.
“We already have cycling events such as Gears and Beers and the development of the Active Travel Plan cycling routes across Wagga, so adding the Pomingalarna complex to our line-up cements Wagga Wagga’s place as a cycling capital in NSW.”
The Wagga Wagga Multisport Cycling Complex is scheduled for completion in mid-2022.
For further information on the project visit:
https://wagga.nsw.gov.au/projects/multisport-cycling-complex