Delays to Milton velodrome construction

Another delayed Pan-Am facility opened its doors to the media today. The Milton Velodrome — or Mattamy National Cycling Centre as it’s officially called — was slated to open at the end of this month. But officials now say it won’t be up and running until November.

Here in Hamilton, this is obviously reminiscent of the delays at Tim Hortons Field. There weren’t any major sporting events scheduled at the Velodrome, but the holdup has forced the town of Milton to postpone the start date of some recreational programs.

Once it’s complete, the facility will house sport courts and a fitness club that will be open for community use. Registration for recreational programs has been postponed until a finite launch date is set. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for November 29th, but it could open before then.

The cycling track was installed yesterday, a day ahead of schedule. It will be Canada’s only regulation Velodrome. It’s designed with speed in mind — but cycling experts say it will also be useable by amateur cyclists.

They may get a chance to test it out before the pros do. Construction delays have also forced Pan-Am to postpone a test race for athletes that was supposed to take place mid-October.

Jason Fellen, Capital Projects Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games: “We’re working very closely with UCI, which is the international cycling federation, to schedule the test event. We’re hoping for early in the new year. It has to fit in with the calendar of global events of course.”

The Velodrome is on budget. But other than the opening ceremony on November 29th, officials couldn’t give me a specific finish date. So we’ll have to wait and see when it will be ready to use.