Derby's new velodrome could be named after cycling supremo David Brailsford
DERBY'S new £27.5m velodrome and multi-use sports centre could be named in honour of the county's Olympic cycling boss.
Derby City Council says it has not ruled out the possibility of naming the Pride Park facility after David Brailsford.
The news comes after the 48-year-old, who led Team GB to win eight gold medals at this summer's London Olympics, was knighted for his work in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.
The Ilkeston-based father was British Cycling performance director and his efforts saw Bradley Wiggins, also knighted by the Queen at the weekend, to become the first Briton to win the Tour De France.
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Martin Repton, city council cabinet member for leisure and culture, said naming the venue after Mr Brailsford was a possibility.
He said: "We will be sitting down over the next 12 to 18 months to discuss all of the options available to us.
"But Dave Brailsford is a local man who has done an absolutely fantastic job and who I would like to personally congratulate on receiving his knighthood from the Queen.
"I am sure that his name will be among a number of others that will be looked at should the council decide to take the route that would see the next centre named after an individual."
Over his career Mr Brailsford has overseen seven out of 10 track titles won at the 2008 Olympic Games replicated this year at London 2012.
He plans to lead Britain and Team Sky, who Bradley Wiggins cycles with, for the next four years.
Diggers got to work last month on the velodrome, which is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.
It will house a 250m cycling track, a 12-court sports hall, a gym, multi-function rooms, a spinning room and a café.
People will be able to play badminton, netball and basketball, as well as cycle on the velodrome track. The arena will also double-up into a concert venue.
Ian Alexander, of CTC Derby, which promotes cycling as a social pastime in the city, supports the idea to name the venue after Mr Brailsford.
He said: "I think it is a fantastic idea and I am sure many of our members would support it as well. Dave has put Derbyshire firmly on the map in relation to cycling. Having a local centre named after a local lad who has achieved such greatness would be tremendous."
And on the social networking website Twitter, Nicola Rippon, of Derby, said: "The forthcoming velodrome in Derby surely ought to be called 'The Sir David Brailsford Velodrome'?"
Mr Brailsford did not wish to comment.
Comments
by mattgaltress
Monday, December 31 2012, 8:42PM
“I think it's a great idea.”
by DerbyTom
Monday, December 31 2012, 6:43PM
“Derby Born and bread great news. . . . . P. S. will skate boarders be able to use it?”
by Antony_Rol
Monday, December 31 2012, 6:35PM
“If your tired of it John you know what to do - f-off and stop registering endless new accounts
Frankly I'm tired of reading your constant streams of bile and bull$hit, as I'm sure many others are
Works both ways see, now Happy new year to you sonny”
by Dave_Nottm
Monday, December 31 2012, 4:57PM
“Reason for DunkirkPie's post is that this same story, comments and all, appears in both papers.”
by Antony_Rol
Monday, December 31 2012, 3:50PM
“And Gonzo, as an accountant I would expect you to at least know about local government funding and how money comes from different pots with restrictions on its use, as a keen social commentator John I would also expect you to know the ins and outs of the financing, the opportunities the MSA will create, and the need to replace Derbys leisure facilities to be able to seethe pointlessness and stupidity of your comment”
by Antony_Rol
Monday, December 31 2012, 3:46PM
“The DT doesn't have to look to Twitter for this idea, I raised the suggestion here two weeks ago - http://tinyurl.com/aokz5vn
Nobody cared much then, from previous comments still nobody cares”
by Andrew_Ilson
Monday, December 31 2012, 3:45PM
“DunkirkPie - why?”
by Trentend1967
Monday, December 31 2012, 3:41PM
“It would be totally appropriate and fitting - the mans a legend.
And anyway who else has ever come out of Il son apart from Ken Barlow and Citizen Smith !!”
by DunkirkPie
Monday, December 31 2012, 11:51AM
“Good Nottingham story this.”
by Gonzo
Monday, December 31 2012, 10:36AM
“It should be named - "Waste of public funds". Or maybe we should name it after the first person to die as a result of the cuts being made in vital services to pay for it.”