A velodrome buried beneath the retractable seats of Melbourne’s John Cain Arena has become a central problem for the venue’s future, with confidential plans drawn up to remove the cycling track and industry figures even debating whether to demolish and rebuild the stadium.
The arena, which holds up to 11,000 spectators, opened in 2000 with a 250-metre timber cycling track included in the $65 million project. The track was part of the pitch to secure the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Liberal MP Martin Dixon told parliament at the time that “the velodrome will enhance our reputation as the sporting capital of Australia and one of the great sporting capitals of the world.”
The venue has since undergone multiple name changes and upgrades. It has hosted a wide range of events, including bull riding, Cirque du Soleil, tennis, basketball and netball. Track cycling, however, is notably absent from that list. The UCI Track World Cup was held at the arena in 2008, but the timber track has been largely unused since 2019, hidden beneath drop-down seating.
“Fix it up or knock it down?” asks the article from the Melbourne Assembly series, which reported the secret plans to remove the velodrome as well as industry leaders considering a complete rebuild.
The dilemma raises questions about the design decisions made two decades ago and what the future holds for one of Melbourne’s key indoor venues.