Project of the Year 2016
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Making use of the centre of a velodrome presents a problem: how to access this space without disrupting the track. Building tunnels or ramps would lead to complicated access arrangements. Creating a section of track that is removable was a potential solution, but for racing cyclists the slightest joint in the surface would be felt.
We overcame this challenge by raising the track by a full storey and leaving the velodrome ‘infield’ at ground level. This means that when visitors arrive for events, they can walk straight through the foyer to the multi-purpose event space at the same level, with the track elevated overhead. The ‘infield’ space can hold 3,500 floor seats (the track itself can hold a further 1,500), or can be used as a sports hall for badminton, netball, volleyball and more.