New pump and cyclocross tracks have opened at a St Albans community centre which is being revamped.
The tracks at the Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre, in Sopwell, opened at the beginning of the month and are free to use.
The tracks are part of a £2.7 million project by St Albans City and District Council to replace the Marlborough Pavilion with a new community centre.
Dale Phillipson, the Council’s strategic director for strategy, policy and transformation, said: “We are delighted that these two high-quality tracks are now open for use and believe they will be a great community asset for years to come for Sopwell and St Albans residents to enjoy.”
The hub will then be responsible for all cycling facilities and activities at the centre which will include workshops, bike repairs and club activities, available for residents across the District.
The Council has worked with local groups on the project including Cottonmill and Sopwell Hub (CaSH), Sopwell Residents Association, the Sopwell Community Trust and the Verulam Cycling Club.
Most of the funding has been provided by the Council with several other organisations also contributing.
British Cycling’s Places to Ride Fund and Sport England gave £350,000 and CaSH gave £79,000 from fundraising events and donations.
The Health Protection Board gave £78,000 towards building costs with a further £150,000 to enable outreach work to be carried out by Citizens Advice St Albans, Mind in Mid Herts and Communities 1st.
Mr Phillipson said: “It will be a great addition for Sopwell residents and the rest of the District when the whole site is up and running in the summer.
Michelle Mackenzie, Chair of CaSH, said: We very happy to have been involved in this project from the beginning and we’re hugely excited for the opening of the brand new Cottonmill Community and Cycling Centre.”
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