By Cam Lucadou-Wells
The Maurice Kirby Velodrome has been recommended for demolition ahead of a Greater Dandenong councillor vote on a future masterplan of Parkfield Reserve, Noble Park.
As part of the $11 million redevelopment, the cycling track would make way for an expanded soccer and cricket arena, according to a council report released on 22 November.
The report recommended that the council investigate creating a regional cycling velodrome elsewhere in the South East.
On 26 November, councillors will vote on the report which has been slammed by pro-velodrome cyclists as “misleading“.
In recent months, the masterplan has pitted sport against sport in intense lobbying.
On one side, the reserve’s tenants Noble Park United Soccer Club, Parkfield Cricket Club and Noble Park Tennis Club are strongly in favour of the masterplan.
On the other hand, cyclists have mobilised to retain the velodrome, including reviving the former Dandenong Noble Park Cycling Club.
Under the plan, the three tenant sports clubs will share a double-storey pavilion that will replace rundown facilities.
A 650-metre shared walking and cycling path, barbecue and playground facilities will be built.
Noble Park United Soccer Club president Lilli Muric said the plan would benefit the Noble Park community.
“Noble Park has had a bad rap.
“Why shouldn’t the residents of Noble Park have something that is going to be beautiful to look at and beautiful to utilise?”
She said an extra soccer field under the plan would allow the growing club to expand into juniors and womens teams.
“We’ll have kids running in the fresh air, riding bikes around the track. Families can say let’s have a barbecue while your kids play in the playground.
“I think this will be great for them.“
According to the council report, Bicycle Network Victoria and Cycling Victoria had no concerns about the cycling track’s removal.
However, Star News has learnt that Cycling Victoria recently wrote to the council to plea for the track’s retention.
“This is a historic velodrome and it’s a key piece of infrastructure for growing participation in cycling,” general manager Craig Eastwood wrote to the council on 21 November.
Mr Eastwood stated that CV would sanction any events and fixtures at the venue – if the council retained and resurfaced the track.
Kim Nguyen, who has been at the forefront of the pro-velodrome push, says it showed the report was designed to mislead councillors and the public.
“Cycling Victoria has never said this velodrome must go.”
Mr Nguyen said the council’s Our Say consultation this year showed 72 in favour of the velodrome to 11 against. He said more than 600 had liked the Facebook site Save Noble Park Velodrome.
“There’s a lot of people who want to see competitive cycling back in Greater Dandenong.”
The council report argues the velodrome would require a major reconstruction to meet professional standards, is currently unsafe, attracts “minimal” use and lacks an official cycling club at the venue.
The track is unsafe for cricket fielders, and that soccer balls and cricket balls are unsafe for riders, the report states.
However there was demand for a dedicated cycle track in the region, according to the report.
“As a result it is suggested … that Council engages with neighbouring councils and agencies to investigate the possibilities of constructing a regional cycle track facility to meet that demand.”
The report recommends paying homage to Maurice Kirby – whose name graces the velodrome – with signage.
Gayle George, who is the daughter of Maurice Kirby, said she was disappointed but not surprised by the recommended demolition.
“It’s nice that a lot of people have got behind and tried to keep it for Dad’s sake.
“I don’t know what else the boys (cycling initiative) could have done to save it.”
Mr Nguyen meanwhile vowed that “whatever happens we’re still building a cycling club in Greater Dandenong”.
“We’ll keep going until we get a velodrome retained or rebuilt.”
