Bidders will be asked to present proposals for after cycling legacy after the Games
The Olympic Development Authority today launched a design competition for the velopark, one of the five permanent venues to be built for the London Games in 2012.
Bidders will be asked to present design proposals for the velopark for the Games as well as after. Shortlisted teams will be asked to respond to a design brief in April.
The velopark, which will be located north of the Olympic park, will include a velodrome to host the Olympic and Paralympic indoor track cycling events and a temporary BMX circuit.
After the Games there are plans to relocate the BMX circuit and add a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course.
The ODA said that the competition underlined “its strong commitment to design excellence and innovation” and that the velopark would become “another landmark building for east London long after the Games.”
David Higgins, ODA chief executive, said: “The velopark is one of the big five showpiece permanent venues for the Olympic park. After the Games it will provide a lasting legacy of brand new cycling facilities for all ages and abilities.”
The successful design team is expected to be announced in the summer and will continue to be involved once a main contractor is appointed.
The ODA said that after the designer is selected in the summer, there will be around ten months for the outline design phase followed by nine months of detailed design development. Construction is expected to start in spring 2009, with test events scheduled for the summer of 2011.
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will own and operate the velopark in legacy.
