“It looks like a cross between the new exterior design of Birmingham New Street rail station and the London 2012 Olympic Velodrome roof.”

“In reply to Andrew, why be so negative?
This looks fantastic and I wish such a development like this was near me.
Yes I am a competative cyclist but I dont think you understand cyclists.
First of all the venue is multi sport and not just a velodrome so does not have to be self sufficient.
It would not be used by just competative cyclists. At Newport there are sessions open to all and also private bookings which vary from private cycling clubs, to corporate days and schools.
It is a very good way to get children involved in sport and cycling in particular and in a sfae environment without having to dodge lorries and irate drivers. Would you prefer your children to cycle indoors on a track or on a busy A road in the dark in winter?
As for who would travel, I would, I currently travel to both MAnchester and Newport as the only current two 250m indoor tracks and I think you would find you would attract riders from a wide area, not just for racing.
In adition to the above, look at the olympic medalists and current olympic cycling team and they were all or mostly developed at Manchester or Newport and both areas have a large pool of top riders now, with several riding for the Sky team and your area would see exaclty the same devlopment of top riders.
Maybe when it is built you shpuld give it a try, I have never met anyone who has said they did not find it thrilling, and if you think it is the same as road cycling you will be in for a huge shock, especially if you look down over the banks :-)”

“littlemoaner - thank you - obviously I would have clicked your links but went out to walk the dog instead! Really glad you have been so kind as to summarise the facts from the document for me.

I do not resent 35,000 people enjoying the football - I even hope it doesn't rain on them and that the right team wins. I was just pointing out that the area does suffer parking problems on match days and I was wondering if disabled fans would still be able to park near enough - and it sounds like they will and I was hoping velodrome traffic would not be added to the mix and I'm sure Rams fans will be glad to hear it won't get worse for them as they drive away.
btw I don't take my dog for treatment at the big Pride Park animal hospital - but obviously others do - including avid football supporters ...”

“Andrew Ilson
The only people calling it a Velodrome is the Telegraph - it is a MULTI SPORTS CENTRE
A traditional sports centre, with basketball, football, tennis courts etc, and a gym, that happens to have a cycle track around the outside
incidentally though Track Cycling is totally different to road or mountain biking or any other form of cycling
And YES as I said before, there is demand, Manchester Velodrome, the nearest alternative is booked up for months
Serach the cycling press and forums - alot of people nationwide are getting very excited at the prospect of a new indoor track inthe midlands, this is big news for Derby. Far more demand than another swimming pool that would attract only locals (taht you are getting anyway when Moorways is redeveloped)”

“The thing is, people go to swimming pools because you cant swim down your street or in the hills and dales and peaks, or in cold unhygenic lakes. Cycling on the other hand can be done in your locality. Why would you travel to a velodrome to cycle? Who would use it apart from competition cyclists? Are there enough of them to sustain the income it requires?”

“@Joenaitta - perhaps you could address some non-sporting questions.
Having looked through the application documents, there appears to be no detail about how this will be used as a concert arena.
The stage is shown only as a temporary structure, abutting the velodrome track and with the fitness suite behind it. How many days of sporting use will be lost each time a concert is staged, pre and post performance? (You don't just bung something of that size up on the day of the gig).

Most arenas offer a clear height of around 19-20m for rigging, or around 17-18m under the mothergrid (the large rig you see dangling from the roof at any large arena). However, this arena area uses only the 2nd and 3rd levels of the building, and the overall height including level 1 is only 22mj to the very highest point of the eaves. It won't be tall enough, will it?

The plans don't show any in/out loading ramps to get the sort of equipment which accompanies a major touring show onto the arena level. How will production crews get their gear in?

Why would a national tour promoter book a tour into this venue when the staging, rigging etc has to be bespoke, rather than go to a rival venue where it is all integrated, there is vehicle access to the arena floor etc?

How much of the car park would be lost to make way for production vehicles? How many car parking spaces would actually be available to the public for a 5000-capacity concert?

All rival venues offer extensive VIP suites overlooking concert arenas - a major part of income for live promoters. I can't see any in this development. Why not?

The plans show only one solitary bar, about one-third the length of a basketball court. How will this cater for a 5000 crowd on a very tight time window between doors opening and band on stage?

The toilets are behind the bar, funnelling everyone in the same direction during the interval and at the end. There appear to be only two staircases to enter and exit the arena level. Anyone who's ever been to an arena show will be able to see the problems here straight away.

I would love to know what conversations, if any, has the council had with major nationwide entertainment promoters about the likelihood of them using this venue. The sneaking suspicion remains that the claim that it 'could be' a 5000-capacity concert venue is just pie in the sky and hasn't been given any proper thought - and then where does the future day to day funding come from?”

“Dinae,

Before commenting, speculating and asking such questions maybe you could have read the planning documents I linked to yesterday -
Transport statement here - http://tinyurl.com/7hgm72h

design and access statement including external / internal views, layouts, site plans etc here (makes interesting reading) -
http://tinyurl.com/7f8d85w
and
http://tinyurl.com/84p3u4e"

You will find answers to all your questions in the comments below yours, and in those links

1. 78 (i thinkoff top of my head) additional spaces will be created over what is there now, (which on non match days is under 50% utilised as a park and ride) by using 'gas alley' as car parking area (it cant otherwise be built on)
2. Events at the sports centre will be programmes to not clash with DCFC
3. DCFC are currently negotiating additional car parking agreements with local businesses to increase matchday parking
4. Its a real shame that 33,500 peoples 'enjoyment' gets in the way of your visit to the vets”

“From the picture it looks like the velodrome will go slap bang on one of the Pride Park football car parks - so when the article says 600 new spaces, does that mean 600 spaces in a bit that isn't currently used for parking replacing the 800 (say) being lost for the velodrome or 600 more car parking spaces than there are in total at the minute?
Car parking when there is a big match on is a nightmare away - as it the traffic jam after a match. So if there are fewer spaces then that is bad news ..
And when the velodrome is open - will cycle races clash with football matches? Will Derby County get priority? Just wouldn't want to be trying to get an sick/ injured pet to Scarsdale in a combined football/ velodrome traffic jam .....”

“This would be am amazing thing for Derby and for cyclists in the East Midlands.”

“This would be an amazing thing for Derby. As a keen cyclist I can't think of a better Olympic legacy for my city, plus I've always wanted the chance to try track cycling.”