Waikato Regional Council has thrown a life-line to the promoters of a new national cycling centre by agreeing to consult the public on whether the council should spend money on the project.
The project has until September to come up with the $28 million cost or it will be given to either Manawatu or Auckland.
Organisers had asked the regional council for $6 million.
At Wednesday's meeting the council voted by a narrow margin to put the idea out for public consultation, although this doesn't guarantee council funding.
The chair of the Home of Cycling Trust Rob Waddell, says without the council's support, other funders will think twice about contributing.
He says he's confident the council will recognise the benefits, which include a projected economic boon for Waikato of about $11 million a year.
The centre will be built near Cambridge.
