KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill is hoping the Youth and Sports Ministry will once again help revive Velodrom Rakyat in Ipoh.
The velodrome, built using public donations amounting to RM3.25 million in the mid 1980s, is currently in an unusable state as its wooden track has rotted.
This is because Velodrom Rakyat is an open air venue and thus the wooden track is constantly exposed to the elements.
Amarjit said he is hoping the Youth and Sports Ministry can help replace the track with a concrete surface, which is more weather resistant, or retain the wooden track and add a "simple roof" to the venue so it can last longer.
"The velodrome was previously refurbished in roughly 2016 - funded by the Youth and Sports Ministry - and at the time they decided to retain the wooden track instead of changing to concrete," said Amarjit when met in Bukit Jalil today.
"The Perak Cycling Association (PCA) advised them to add a simple roof just to cover the newly installed wooden track and protect it from the rain and the sun.
"It would have only cost about RM1 to RM2 million extra but it did not happen. If it was done, the track would probably still be in a good condition.
"We have met with the Sports Minister (Hannah Yeoh) today and requested that the track be repaired so it can be used again.
"The infrastructure surrounding the velodrome is still good. The only issue is the track surface.
"If the Ministry decides to help us, we will let them handle the refurbishment process but will advise them if necessary.
"We suggest that the wooden track be replaced with concrete which can last at least 20 years and give both the association and the government less headache.
"But if we go with wood again, then we need to build a simple roof to protect it."
Amarjit added that the previous refurbishment done to the velodrome in 2016 had cost roughly RM10 million, this included improvements to other facilities within the venue, such as the rooms as well as the timing system.
Amarjit, who is also PCA president, said Velodrom Rakat plays an important role in developing the next generation of talent in the sport.
"Velodrom Rakyat is not only used by riders from Perak but also from other Northern states including Kedah, Penang and Perlis," said Amarjit.
"We really need it for development purposes, it is not really meant to host international races.
"It has not been used for over a year now because it is no longer safe. The wooden surface has rotted and some of the planks have even dislodged.
"The timing system there, which cost roughly RM2 million, has now been removed and is now being used at the National Velodrome in Nilai."
The National Velodrome, completed in 2017, is currently the flagship velodrome in the country and is capable of hosting world class events including the Nations Cup as well as the World Championships.