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Kent Cyclopark Under Construction

6 June 2011 | Source - Kent County Council
Photos | Richard Hall | Imagesoutheast.co.uk

The construction of the Cyclopark project on the outskirts of Gravesend is now well underway and once completed the facility will be one of the biggest of its kind in Europe.

At 43 hectares it will be three times the size of the Olympic Legacy Velopark in East London and will feature a specialist BMX track and skate park alongside a 2.9km tarmac circuit and 6km of mountain bike trails. There will also be a high quality pavilion providing training and changing facilities, a café, community space and bike and equipment hire.

Construction of the tarmac circuit, Skate Park, BMX track and MTB trails is due to be completed in August 2011, opening for limited use through the winter. The pavilion is due to be completed in February next year with the park to be fully operational in time for an official launch in May 2012.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson, who is also MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, was present as work began and said: "Cyclopark is going to be a huge draw for Kent and the wider south east and I'm delighted to officially mark the beginning of its construction. It's vital that we provide the facilities for local people to enjoy sport and keep fit and healthy"

The £8 million pound project has been funded and supported by Kent County Council, British Cycling, Homes and Communities Agency, The Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust, European Union Two Seas Programme, Sport England - Iconic Facilities Fund and Gravesham Borough Council

The project manager LaurenceTricker said "With and estimated 9.5 million people living within an hour's drive of the site, Cyclopark will offer world-class facilities to enable the growth of many different disciplines within the sport"

Club Cyclopark will be a new resident Go-Ride club at Cyclopark, providing coaching sessions and competitive events for people of all ages and abilities and provide opportunities for recreation or competition in all cycling disciplines. The club hopes to launch sessions at the first official use of the park which will be the South East BMX championships on the 16th October 2011.

Interest in the park has been high with days already being reserved for events. To find out more about the park please visit www.cyclopark.com or follow the faiclity's progress on Facebook or Twitter.