Hong Kong Velodrome

Hong Kong Velodrome

Hong Kong Velodrome in 2014
Location Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung district, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Owner Hong Kong Government
Operator Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Capacity 3,000 (velodrome)
Field size 250 metres
Surface Wood
Construction
Broke ground 2010
Built 2010–2013
Construction cost HK$1.13 billion[1]
Architect P & T Architects & Engineers Ltd.
Structural engineer Ove Arup and Partners HK Ltd
Services engineer WSP Hong Kong Ltd
General contractor Shui On Construction Co Ltd
Tenants
Hong Kong Cycling Association
Tseung Kwan O Velodrome site in 2006.

Hong Kong Velodrome is a velodrome in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. It has a 250-metre cycling track and spectator facilities for 3,000 people. It opened in December 2013.

History

The Hong Kong government agreed to build the velodrome after Wong Kam-po won the gold medal for the men's road race in the 2006 Asian Games at Doha, amid concerns that athletes who represent Hong Kong had to rely on training facilities in China.[2] Construction of the HK$1.1 billion venue got the legislative go-ahead in January 2010 and work began two months later.[3]

On 5 November 2012, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam kicked off construction of the Tseung Kwan O Velodrome, as it was then known. The velodrome occupies 6.6 hectares, and cycling helmets inspired its wavy rooftop design. Mrs Lam officiated at the ceremony marking the start of construction.[4]

The velodrome officially opened on 30 December 2013. The inaugural international event, the 2014 Hong Kong International Track Cup (a UCI class-one event), was held 10-12 January 2014.[5][6]

Facilities

The velodrome also includes a multi-purpose area for basketball, volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and other sports, but these are closed whenever the cycling track is being used. Other facilities include changing rooms, a press conference room, and a pressroom. It also includes fitness, activity, and dance rooms, and a children's playroom.[4]

The Hong Kong Velodrome Park surrounds the velodrome building. The park includes grassy lawns, a restaurant, artificial lakes, a concrete skatepark, a jogging track, an amphitheatre, and a climbing wall.[7]

References

  1. "Working wheels turn at velodrome". The Standard. 6 November 2012.
  2. 單車場明年落成 學者批拖足7年 Sina.com.hk (Ming Pao). 5 August 2012.
  3. "Critics fail to knock wheels off velodrome". The Standard. 21 January 2010.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "CS launches velodrome works". Hong Kong Government News - Health and Community. 5 November 2012.
  5. Chan, Kin-wa (28 November 2013). "New velodrome 'can host world's best cycling events'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  6. Chan, Kin-wa (10 January 2014). "Sarah Lee and Hong Kong riders vow to put on a show at new velodrome". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  7. "Facilities". Hong Kong Velodrome Park. Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 18 November 2014.

External website

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hong Kong Velodrome.

Coordinates: 22°18′47″N 114°15′44″E / 22.3131281°N 114.2621148°E