Cardiff Council continue to castle build... Please tell me why a zip line?
No study has taken place to assess the impact upon existing business' and the accretion of activity opportunities in the oddly and rather inappropriately named 'International Sports Village' - it's neither international (they built the pool a little too short) nor a village can only further add to the traffic chaos at that location, once we are released from house arrest.
And why the zip line? For years I've argued against local authorities muscling in on tourism and adventure provision. It's not their job. They do it badly and at great cost to the public. They pay staff far less than traditional activity providers. But mostly it's against the vicarious nature of such provision which is neither educational, developmental or in the long term memorable and so life changing or affirming.
All Cardiff resident's ought to be campaigning against ANY city developments that are council delivered. Why? Because the authorities just love shiny and new and ribbon cutting but do they maintain the infrastructure they already have? Do they ensure existing facilities are the best they can be? Do they even ensure basic safety protocols and are monitored and implemented? The answer is No! No! No!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56358347
A velodrome, a zip wire tower and 1km road cycling and running circuit are being planned to complete the Cardiff International Sports Village.
The area is already home to Cardiff International Pool, International White Water centre and Ice Arena Wales - home of the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team.
Cardiff council hope the new facilities in Cardiff Bay could be open in 2022.
The council, who also want to give Atlantic Wharf a facelift, will discuss the plan at Thursday's cabinet meeting.
Plans also include space for new restaurants, bars and shops as well as a large bicycle shop and clubhouse alongside the proposed 333m velodrome.
If approved, the velodrome would see the closure of the outdoor cycling track in the Maindy area of Cardiff where Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and Olympic champion Elinor Barker began cycling.
"To have that type of facility would be great," said Steve Gabriel, cycling coach at Maindy Cycle Track.
"As long as it is available, open and inclusive, it'd be fantastic."
Cardiff council said moving the velodrome from Maindy to Cardiff Bay would allow the expansion of nearby Cathays High School.Â
A public consultation on plans to expand the high school to almost 1,500 pupils, closes on 19 March.Â
While Maindy leisure centre would be unaffected, the council said rugby club Cardiff Blues is to take over the running of Pentwyn Leisure Centre, currently being used as a vaccination centre, in 2022.
Cardiff council's plan is to have the 1km long, six-metre wide, road cycling and running circuit around the International Sports Village.
The idea is the track would be separated from pedestrian and vehicle traffic and would also be "free to use for the general public at specified times".
Cardiff councillor Russell Goodway has said the "exciting new space" will be one for "visitors and local to enjoy".
Councillors will be asked in the 18 March cabinet meeting to grant Cardiff council officers "the authority to negotiate a land deal in the area to allow the plans to progress".
"Once the detailed business case work has been completed to demonstrate how the plans will be funded, local communities will be consulted on the masterplan as part of the planning process," said a council statement.