Located within the National Cycling Centre, the Manchester Velodrome underwent an extensive £27 million refurbishment aimed at enhancing facilities and boosting sustainability in use.
Originally opened in 1994 as Britain’s first indoor Olympic cycling track, the Velodrome has been the training ground for numerous Olympic champions over the years. In 2021, it temporarily closed for a significant renovation primarily funded by Sport England with local and central government contributions. This initiative was part of Manchester City Council’s ambitious plan to position itself as the leading European capital of cycling by 2024.
Our specialists worked closely with Manchester City Council’s sustainability team to develop a road map for the Velodrome to achieve the Council’s ‘Climate Emergency Carbon Reduction Strategy’ which focuses on the delivery of carbon neutral buildings by 2038.
Our sustainability-focussed design employed green technologies including heat recovery systems and new Air Source Heat Pump systems to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions by more than 50%. These improvements are estimated to have resulted in an annual reduction of up to 517 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The team used cutting-edge ventilation and heating solutions to meet the stringent climatic control requirements for the space. This included meeting both the professional cycling body UCI-regulations and British Cycling’s requirements for variable climatic simulation. Our engineering solution unlocked the ability to provide a 365-day per year training facility for Olympic and Paralympic cycling teams. Cyclists utilising the Velodrome’s facilities also experience improved comfort through the introduction of state-of-the-art fresh air ventilation systems.
The Velodrome’s centre court now hosts a variety of sports throughout the week, including badminton, futsal, netball, korfball and more. Its inclusive approach encompasses various cycling disciplines and multi-sport activities, enabling the facility to engage communities and residents of all ages and abilities with a world-class offering on their doorstep.
Images courtesy of Manchester City Council.
