7 May 2011

Time extension for cycling centre of excellence bid

11:50 am on 7 May 2011

Waikato Bay of Plenty has been given about another four months to confirm it can fund a national cycling centre of excellence.

Last month SPARC announced the Home of Cycling Trust was the preferred tenderer.

SPARC had hoped to be able to announce the successful bid today but Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin says while the trust has met every requirement it needs more time for local and regional council to consider its funding applications.

The estimated cost of the centre in Cambridge is $28 million with a third of the money from central goverment via SPARC, a third from local goverment and the rest from sponsorship and philanthropic and community trusts.

The Home of Cycling Trust's chairman Rob Waddell says it's up to the region's councils and communites to decide if they want to support the centre.

Waddell says it'll bring economic and social benefits as well as helping grow all forms of competitive cycling.

The extension is until early September, with the date yet to be decided.