Inside $35m Olympic-standard Murarrie cycling facility | SEE THE PLANS

Council has released images of how a new $35 million, Olympic-standard “Criterium’’ cycling facility could look. The eastside project is due for completion in 2024. SEE WHAT’S PLANNED

Brisbane City Council has released new images of a proposed Olympic-standard cycling venue at Murarrie which could help in the training of the city’s next gold medallists.

The $35 million International Cycle Park at 1238 Wynnum Rd is a joint Council/Federal/State Government project.

A revamp of the site, at Murarrie Recreation Reserve, has been in the planning since 2019, with community feedback already canvassed for a preliminary draft plan.

The first stage of the revamp, completed in August, 2020, was an upgrade the Vicki Wilson Playground area.

It included new and improved playground equipment, a new adult seating area,

improved lighting and shade, accessible paths and a resurfaced car park with more carparking spaces.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the cycling track would be an unrivalled training facility for young athletes.

Concept image of the cycling track.

“In just over a decades’ time, Brisbane’s Olympic and Paralympic destiny will arrive with the Games to be held right here in our home city,” Mr Schrinner said.

“The investments we make today in sports infrastructure will pay dividends during the Games because local athletes will have world-class facilities, like this cycling track, to learn and train on at home”.

“This fantastic facility will also be a drawcard for Brisbane into the future with cycling groups certain to be attracted by the prospect of holding their event in a future Olympic city that is also the fastest growing capital in the country.”

He said as well as the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) standard cycling track, the first stage of the project would include a new 500m speed skating track, a multipurpose clubhouse, accessible walkways and ramps, and tree plantings.

“We sought community feedback on a preliminary draft precinct plan in mid-2019, which informed the plan to transform this area into a premier sport and recreation destination, offering a range of recreation opportunities for the whole community,” Mr Schrinner said.

Concept image of the cycling track.

“As a city known for its outdoor lifestyle, this upgrade is all part of how we’re making life in Brisbane even better.’’

Project engineers, Bligh Tanner, said on its website that the “criterium’’ track was designed to be a cycling hub for the whole community, not just elite riders.

“The upgrade will include features such as: a new world class criterium track (road cycle racing), a double story clubhouse, a pump track, learn to ride facilities, carparking upgrades, an external signalised intersection and landscape and public space features,’’ it said.

There would also be new picnic shelters and barbecues, track lighting, a dog off-leash area and beginner mountain bike skills course.

The criterium track and carpark would be delivered in the first stage, with other facilities in later stages.

Bligh Tanner designed a criterium track at Ipswich, opened in 2018, which has since been used for local and state event races for both daytime and night-time racing.

“The (Murarrie) site has several constraints, with the most challenging being contaminated land as the site was formally a landfill site,’’ its website said.

“This meant earthworks and drainage around the existing landfill and clay capping needed to be carefully considered.

“An enjoyable part of the design has been collaborating with the cycling and roller skating club to develop track geometry that creates a safe, fast and competitive facility for all parties. “The track will be lit for night-time racing and can be used up to a national and international level of racing.

“This facility will be the first of its kind in Brisbane and provide an incredible location for sporting excellence and for families to come watch and learn to ride bikes.’’