BMX plans for Olympic cycle site

The BMX centre will also be open to the community, the council says

A national indoor BMX centre could be built alongside the Manchester velodrome, home to Britain's Olympic medal winning cycling team.

The £24m development at Sportcity will include a 2,000 seat arena and offices for the headquarters of the British Cycling Federation.

As well as being used by the British Olympic BMX team, councillors said it would be a community facility.

Plans for the National Cycling Centre go before the council on 22 July.

Regeneration agency New East Manchester said the new centre would cement the area's reputation as "a world-class centre for cycling".

Freestyle cycling

The development, if approved by the council's executive committee, would create 64 full time jobs and safeguard a further 100, it added.

As well as the new centre, architects are planning outdoor freestyle cycling areas and new pathways around the Sportcity site.

A new crossing over the canal would also be built to give better access to the new Metrolink tram stop planned for the area.

Members of the public can see the plans during a consultation event at the velodrome on 4 August.

Work on the scheme could start by January 2010 and be completed by March 2011, subject to funding and planning approval.