STUDY CONFIRMS VIABILITY OF WORLD CYCLING CENTRE
30-7-10

Good news. A five month long study by consultants into the feasibility of establishing a World Cycling Centre at Magheramorne has confirmed that income will comfortably exceed the day-to-day running costs of what is expected to become one of the top mountain bike venues in Europe.

As part of the study – funded by NI Tourist Board and Lafarge, and overseen by CAAN – the consultants also put forward additions to the proposals contained in the current master plan. These include the extension of the cross-country trail from just under nine kilometres to over twenty kilometres, and the introduction of a range of other complementary adrenalin sports, like zip lines and abseiling, as part of a 'hub' in which there are clearly defined 'High', 'Wet' and 'Play' zones as well as a comprehensive range of facilities for cyclists. All of this, in addition to the seven exciting downhill trails, totalling more than nine kilometres in length, already planned.

The study predicts a minimum of 150,000 visitors to the cycling centre each year, attracting all levels of cyclists, from novices and families to international competitors. At least £1.5 million is expected to be injected into the local economy as a result.

Lloyd McInally, Magheramorne Regeneration Project Manager for Lafarge, is delighted with the findings: "The study has confirmed that we have a very special opportunity at Magheramorne to create a world class facility and that it can more than pay its way once the trails and facilities are set up. Like all major mountain bike venues, an initial injection of cash will be needed to construct the centre in the first place and over the coming months we will be looking at ways we might get support for this. The cycling centre is a major component of our plans to help revitalise the East Antrim economy."

According to CAAN Director Caro-lynne Ferris, there is also another big plus with the concept: "One of the great things about the cycling centre is that it can be carried out as a stand alone project, independent of what is proposed in the master plan for the other activities on the site. In an ideal world, if money could be found in the near future for constructing the centre, work on the site could be underway by the time of the 2012 Olympics when mountain biking will feature as an event for the first time."

Management options for the centre – who might own and run the facility – are currently under consideration.