Singapore eyes its own velodrome

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For years, elite cyclists hoping to do the country proud have had to train in velodromes overseas.

However, that may soon change. Amid the rising profile of the sport here, the Government has embarked on a feasibility study for such a facility to be built here.

The study will be completed in the next few months and submitted to various government agencies for consideration, TODAY understands.

Responding to queries, Sport Singapore said the proposed velodrome is part of the Government’s Vision 2030 sports master plan.

The details of the study will be shared later. A look at velodromes around the world suggests that such a facility can cost between S$30 million and S$200 million.

Cycling as a recreational sport has grown in popularity in recent years. For example, the number of participants in the OCBC Cycle event more than doubled from 5,000 at its maiden edition in 2009 to 11,000 last year.

A survey on sports participation conducted by Sport Singapore three years ago ranked cycling as the eighth most popular sport here, ahead of tennis, golf, netball and table tennis.

Currently, there are limited training venues for those who wish to take up competitive cycling, who usually train at parks or roads. The only purpose-built facility here, the Tampines Bike Park for BMX riders, was closed two months ago. Plans to replace it with a new one at the Old Kallang Airport are still being worked out.

Three-time SEA Games silver medallist Kenneth Tan, 47, said a velodrome would offer a safe place for speed training. “You can’t do that on a road, it is too dangerous,” said Mr Tan, who bagged his medals at the 1989, 1990 and 1995 SEA Games.

“Most of our cycling medals came in competitions in the velodrome, but we had to travel overseas to train. And most of our neighbours have at least one (velodrome),” Mr Tan added.

In the meantime, Sport Singapore said it will continue working with the Singapore Cycling Federation to develop the sport here. It is also collaborating with companies on possible sponsorships to fund cycling programmes.