By Cam Lucadou-Wells
In a further step to save Maurice Kirby Velodrome, supporters are banding together to reform the Noble Park Dandenong Cycling Club.
The group wish to base the club at the velodrome, which faces possible demolition by Greater Dandenong Council.
The velodrome would be removed under the council’s draft masterplan for Parkfield Reserve, Noble Park, making way for a shared-path and expanded soccer fields.
In a group email to Greater Dandenong councillors and officers, the proposed cycling club’s spokesman Kim Nguyen declared the club would be using the facility as “our … rightful grounds”.
“Our committee has unwavering intentions to reform the Noble Park-Dandenong Cycling Club, a club with over 100 years of proud history.”
The group seeks crowd-funding for $2000 to register and incorporate the club.
It would be the first time a cycling club has been based at the facility for about a decade.
Mr Nguyen told Star News that there was room for the velodrome to “co-exist” with an updated park.
The velodrome had been long neglected and under-publicised by the council.
“The park needs to be rejuvenated.
“I’ve met residents who never knew there was a velodrome and they cycle quite a lot.”
Ahead of a council vote that’s expected this month, Greater Dandenong councillor Roz Blades invited anyone to discuss the masterplan’s future with her.
“The issue for the council has always been will it be used.
“I’m speaking to residents who say it’s never been used, and now people are just starting to use it.
“That’s what the council has to weigh up.”
