The major redevelopment of an important community resource in Adelaide’s West is set for completion in April.
City of Port Adelaide Enfield’s Hanson Reserve in Ferrdyen Park, incorporates one of the South Australia’s few outdoor velodromes.
The track and grounds were built in the 1960s and as community interest in cycling waned in 90s, the condition of the track began to deteriorate.
A project to reinvigorate the facility began in 2014 and was driven by the 2015 Master Plan for the site, which incorporated community consultation through workshops, meetings and surveys.
The aims of the project were to increase community access, introduce new community recreation opportunities, maintain and improve sporting facilities and improve the appearance, safety and amenity of the reserve.
This project came at a time of renewed enthusiasm for cycling, particularly since South Australia’s annual Tour Down Under is now the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere.
While there are stringent engineering standards for the more common indoor velodrome, there are no set standards for outdoor velodromes.
Very few examples of major upgrade projects that could inform the specifications were available for review.
Council partnered with Outside Ideas to deliver a resource suitable for the requirements of local cycling clubs and incorporating feedback gathered from the wider community during consultation.
A grant from the Office of Sport and Recreation supported the project.
As well as the cycling track, upgrades included the installation of a playground, car parking, shelters and barbeques, a recreation loop path and fitness stations.
The track will once more be open for day and night racing by mid-April.
