Maindy Track

Interested to know what people think of the possible proposed demolition of Maindy for an expansion of Cathays High.

I'm split, because whilst for purely selfish reasons I'd like to see it stay (handy for occasional laps and if I manage to get my child in to cycling/Maindy Flyers) but the new proposed facility in the bay does look pretty good if assurances are kept that there will be no break in continuity between the two, an outdoor track and a proper velodrome. There are some people claiming that the shorter track - 333m compared to Maindys c.400m means steeper banks and as such less accessible for novice riders.

I can't help thinking that those protesting for it to stay want have their cake and eat it, i.e. they want both facilities to exist. They claim that the school can use the centre of the track as is, but I don't see how it can provide much use for any sport other than cycling in its current state. The school seems to have little outdoor space and be in desperate need of investment. From what I understand some of the money from the fund being used for the school expansion will be used to 'kick-start' the sports village development, although the on-going business case seems unproven so far, as a result 'both' is not really a viable option.

Part of the land may be sold off which would be pretty shit as it covers what it currently a nice children's play area which the council had recently released plans to refurbish.

https://www.archdaily.com/958902/scott-brownrigg-designs-new-velodrome-and-isv-masterplan-for-cardiff?ad_medium=gallery

https://www.facebook.com/groups/savemaindyvelodrome https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/26987.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo&utm_content=ECONOMIC%20DEVELOPMENT&fbclid=IwAR0tJ17QAxxyV7OKwi1rsqRUVCmeWhIQOQqj-3_otxrUWTprPnTg1QOrQa8

https://savemaindycycletra.wixsite.com/savemaindycycletrack?fbclid=IwAR0MafChyZDcyhxmOEj0JEjzygkeVeAg8dDBYygbQhFs1m_uqmPZmzSfu8Y

https://www.change.org/p/cardiff-council-save-maindy-velodrome?source_location=topic_page

Hi Silly_Savage, thanks for taking the time to read up on the proposals. I'd like to clarify a few points just to set the record straight. The council have no plans at at present to sell off the land, however, in order to claim track land for the school they must break a century old covenant which gave the Maindy site to the people of Cardiff in perpetuity. My understanding is that once the covenant is lifted the council will be free to sell any of the land - I would gladly be informed otherwise. The proposed replacement track is a 333m, as opposed to maindy's 460. The banking at Maindy is 25°, perfect for beginners. 333m tracks are usually 32.5-40°, though we have been assured by Welsh Cycling the banking at the new track will be "the same or slightly steeper than Maindy" but that it will be suitable for all experience levels. I hope they're right! Cardiff council have been very careful to make no guarantees about the continuation of track provision in their correspondence. This is the same council who presided over a 10 year gap between The Empire Pool demolition and it's replacement down in the bay. I would personally like there to be no relocation of cycling facilities as Maindy serves everyone's needs already. Maindy flyers have said they have "outgrown the facility" but how does moving to a smaller track help with that?? Geraint Thomas said when visiting the track in 2019 "they've got a great setup here". Something doesn't add up. The council could use a fraction of the money currently earmarked for the new track to improve the facilities at Maindy, which the school and the community could then make better use of e.g. MUGAs, and a running track. The track area and central field cannot be developed on so unless the school can find some other piece of land to build on they will have very little space for the school buildings, track or no. For more info, I have attached our briefing to local cycling clubs. Happy to discuss further. Ant

1 Attachment

• Cardiff velodrome plans - note to cycling clubs v4.pdf

The council could use a fraction of the money currently earmarked for the new track to improve the facilities at Maindy

I'm not sure that's the case. Isn't it true that that money for the new development is initially coming from the WEPco/ Meridian fund, so without the school expansion there will be no pot of money for investment.

I haven't seen any plans for the school, but you have to assume that as long as their current playing field are suitable they could build on those, once they have other outdoor space.

we have been assured of no lack of continuity of use between Maindy and the new facility.

That's a direct quote from Welsh cycling, but I appreciate that the council doesn't have a great record on keeping promises.

I will be sad to see it go, and I'm glad people are putting pressure on the council to do this right, but I'm not sure if I can get behind a fight against investment in the future of cycling. It's not like there were cries to invest in Maindy before these plans were aired, so the argument against development feels retrograde.

I agree that the outdoor track needs to be secured at 6m wide and continuity assured between sites, but surely an outdoor track with the opportunity to to directly transition to velodrome stands a much better chance of serving youth cycling than an outdoor track with a velodrome in the next city over.

Thanks for signing up to share that point of view though.