The future of bellville velodrome.... Final curtain?

[Shebeen]

Couldn't find a thread on this, and it's not a new issue but looks like things are doomed.

 

I would like to think that there is a need for a decent cycling track in the city, and this seems to be the best one in the country so it's a national issue too. (Was durbs building one for the commonweal games that is now kaput?)

 

The value of R1500p/m must be way below market as this has become a pretty big commercial node. If it's open market then we shall see. Ringfencing funds from the sale to construct a track elsewhere could be acceptable from my view.

 

Comment period is still open, is anything being formally done by the cycling community. PPA, CSA, cycling clubs, shops?

 

https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Have-your-say/Issues-open-for-public-comment/sale-of-councils-immovable-property?fbclid=IwAR01V49a9dkY_q1pgekIv-F6c_unl648ohg0gHAh0ssHYuSz-mGiVNnpwo4

 

https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/end-of-an-era-for-historic-bellville-velodrome-29080850

[Shebeen]

I found this Vacant Land / Plot on the Property24 Android app. Check it out: https://www.property24.com/for-sale/bellville-park/bellville/western-cape/8216/107666879

 

 

This site is closest vacant land for sale. Not nearly as good location, but going for R7500/SQM. I smell backhanders

[gemmerbal]

well ill say this: it is the only place left to have a music concert without completely losing your sh_t, because the acoustic properties of the Cape Town stadium cannot possibly be worse! even the old Green Point Stadium was better. I see on FB there was some sort of gathering there last night relating to this process?

 

(my only reference is seeing Metallica in the old stadium, Linkin Park and Foo Fighters in the new stadium and then Metallica in the Velodrome - sorry this is the only contribution I have Shebeen)

[Skubarra]

I think its not only the velodrome, also the athletics stadium? would be very sad if this is all destructed for more offices/shops.

 

I hope the meeting last night was well attended (unfortunately I had other commitments). If not I guess the destruction will be partly due to public apathy.

[ChrisF]

I think its not only the velodrome, also the athletics stadium? would be very sad if this is all destructed for more offices/shops.

 

I hope the meeting last night was well attended (unfortunately I had other commitments). If not I guess the destruction will be partly due to public apathy.

 

Just look at the vacancy rate in Tygervalley shopping centre and Willow Bridge ....

 

Then look at all the advertised office space in the area .....

 

 

criminal to remove the few sporting facilities in the area, just to add to the existing vacancy rate in the area ....

[Wannabe]

I also could not attend, but from what I saw on chat groups, it was well attended.

as I understand, a lot of people left before the official end of the proceedings, as it was obvious that it is only a PR exercise to show that the community was consulted in the process, although the decision was already made about the facility.

 

If this is indeed what transpired, I do not know, but that is the impression I got from comments I heard and read.

[JJ]

As much as I see the potential of the velodrome ( I’ve used it a number of times) we, as the greater cape town cycling community, can only blame ourselves if the demolition goes through. There is next to no interest in track cycling. The few people that race there, usually have very minimal crowd attendance. It’s a nice to have, but the cycling community does not support it adequately.

[Iwan Kemp]

As much as I see the potential of the velodrome ( I’ve used it a number of times) we, as the greater cape town cycling community, can only blame ourselves if the demolition goes through. There is next to no interest in track cycling. The few people that race there, usually have very minimal crowd attendance. It’s a nice to have, but the cycling community does not support it adequately.

 

The unfortunate truth.

[splat]

A massive mixed use development is planned for that swathe of land - it's been in planning stages since 2008/9

 

https://thegalleriact.co.za/

https://www.vdmma.com/the-galleria

 

[Shebeen]

A massive mixed use development is planned for that swathe of land - it's been in planning stages since 2008/9

 

https://thegalleriact.co.za/

https://www.vdmma.com/the-galleria

 

 

https://www.iol.co.za/capeargus/news/wheels-come-off-bellville-velodrome-development-due-to-tender-dispute-18928582

 

 

is it still the same crowd pushing it?

is it an open tender or is it a done deal?

[Shebeen]

well ill say this: it is the only place left to have a music concert without completely losing your sh_t, because the acoustic properties of the Cape Town stadium cannot possibly be worse! even the old Green Point Stadium was better. I see on FB there was some sort of gathering there last night relating to this process?

 

(my only reference is seeing Metallica in the old stadium, Linkin Park and Foo Fighters in the new stadium and then Metallica in the Velodrome - sorry this is the only contribution I have Shebeen)

 

 

https://www.redbull.com/za-en/bellville%20velodrome%20red%20bull%20unlocked%20preview

 

 

CT stadium has had big issues with sound, but i think they have "worked it out". ed sheeran seemed pretty god this year.

Have seen counting crows and live at the velodrome, but that was too long ago to remember exactly (and i was a student then so had the cheapest tickets and the cheapest booze).

 

BUT i don't think they've used it much for concerts in a while, seems like's it is just grandwest or CT stadium, when this does really fit nicely inbetween the two.

 

if the Boss is ok with it, then it gets my thumbs up

[MORNE]

disclaimer: this probably will trigger someone

 

i say let it go. it is a white elephant and only gets used (the parking lots actually) for k53 practise most of the time. It's eyesore too...and creates a disparate piece of urban fabric there that can be better integrated into the greater area...whatever they plan to do there, it is a step in the right direction long term.

The 5 people who use it still for track racing...sorry. The rest of them that are just emotionally lobbying because it is cycling related and don't ever use it....thats very self entitled of you and being a hypocrite is not cool....do't be a box...be leka. They didnt build a new oval track when they built Durban stadium over it did they?..because it is dead...move on.

[Robbie Stewart]

I listened to a radio interview on Tygerberg 104Fm in the week with a coach and ladies field athlete, and they were both saying that the athletics track is in use daily by people from across the entire Cape metropole, including athletes with disabilities, and that there is no other facility available. Some athletes who are competing internationally at the moment train there permanently when back home. And this is not even speaking of the regular folks who just go use the facility for a walk about, step climbing and the like for their usual "get out and get active' routines, or to just walk the dogs.

 

Sadly, 2 years ago the CoCT decided that the tartar track was "unsafe" due to not having internationally acceptable shock absorption qualities, and prevent schools from running events there since. This is now being used as a mantra that the establishment as a whole is unsafe.

 

To me, it sounds more like creating a crisis that never existed, to speed up the demolition process.

 

Looks like the writing is on the wall, sadly.

[Johnny82]

disclaimer: this probably will trigger someone

 

i say let it go. it is a white elephant and only gets used (the parking lots actually) for k53 practise most of the time. It's eyesore too...and creates a disparate piece of urban fabric there that can be better integrated into the greater area...whatever they plan to do there, it is a step in the right direction long term.

The 5 people who use it still for track racing...sorry. The rest of them that are just emotionally lobbying because it is cycling related and don't ever use it....thats very self entitled of you and being a hypocrite is not cool....do't be a box...be leka. They didnt build a new oval track when they built Durban stadium over it did they?..because it is dead...move on.

 

Just remember that it is not only the cycling track but the athletics track as well. The athletics track is home to the Bellville club which is the largest track&field club in the Cape with quite a number of provincial and national champions that train there almost daily along with a large number of athletes from the local community. If they take the track away there are almost no other options available - Parow track was only meant to be a training facility and does not have sufficient facilities for a large number of people, UWC's track is privately owned by UWC etc. Bellville was always the only facility available that could handle the large number of people for events such as MTBS or the USSASA competitions.

 

Yes the track has been in dire need of a re-surface for a few years already and it is very sad that the place has just been left to go its own way. Since this development story started a few years ago there has been different versions of the plans - some with and some without the athletics and cycling tracks. 

 

While I am going to object against it I also realise that we will probably not be able to stop the process.

[gemmerbal]

all very valid comments. the hypocrisy doesnt get clearer than this: lets demolish a fully functional yet under capacity multi-purpose stadium, aka Green Point Stadium, and build a new stadium only fit for football and rugby with a separate track and field facility next door. and the new stadium is only fit for concerts when the Cape Doctor is on leave, which is 2 days a year.

 

and then lets demolish the only indoor cycling track in the metropole so we can build more unwanted office space.

 

but wait, COCT can make money from the rates and taxes i hear you say?

 

and I say: PRECISELY!

[MORNE]

To be fair that white stadium was built for a purpose and has now become part of the branding of CT with the skyline and all so from an urban design point of view id say it has definitely added value to the city in the eyes of many people. If you own property in that area you will definitely agree too.  

it is not just the white round thing anymore...it has become iconic to the area, and everything that went with it - contributed to uplifting the area.

In anycase It will be used more once Newlands Rugby stadium gets kicked to the curb for (wait for it).....office developments  There were plenty of reason why Newlands was not the best choice to upgrade...and they are all catching up to it now. Bluntly - it is outdated and crap.

Zero access, outdated facilities...just plain a sucky experience all round when visiting it.

 

Coming back to the Velodrome...Just because it's the ONLY indoor cycling venue in the city does not give it any more validity in my opinion. it is outdated, old and caters for only one thing really....a thing that is dying (if not already dead). If some billionaire cyclist went and donated R100mil to upgrade and uplift it....it will still not get used because there is just no interest in that facet of the sport from 'gen-pop' anymore. It is from a bygone area unfortunately and is reserved for a niche now.