Herne Hill Velodrome announced today that it has reached its £75,000 Crowdfunder target in less than a week after its launch. The money is to go towards kitting out the brand new pavilion that is nearing completion on the 125 year old site.
To date £77,665 has been donated to the Big Finish campaign, but there is a ‘stretch target’ of £100,000 so you can still donate if you want to. Rewards include stickers, limited edition caps, T-shirts, prints, cycling jerseys and coaching packages. Go to their crowdfunding page to donate.
The Big Finish marks the end of a six year campaign to save the velodrome which was in drastic need of resurfacing and was threatened by leasehold difficulties back in 2010. The Save the Velodrome Campaign was launched which has successfully negotiated a new 99 year lease with the landowners, resurfaced the track and installed lights and an inner track. The building and fitting out of the new pavilion is the last phase in bringing back the velodrome to its former glory.
Used as a 1948 Olympic venue, it has been the training ground of champions like Bradley Wiggins, Laura Kenny and Joanna Rowsell Shand who all raced there in their youth. Its popularity in the local area has grown enormously in recent years as they have expanded their facilities to include sessions for young riders from as young as 2 years old, bike polo, cyclocross and accessible cycling for all ages and abilities as well. Herne Hill offers more open track racing than any other track in the UK.
The new pavilion itself is a fantastic looking building designed by Hopkins Architects who have managed to incorporate the original pillars from the old grandstand. The interior will offer a large club room which will be used for indoor training sessions as well as providing a space for entertainment. There will also be a meeting room, kitchen, viewing terrace, medical room, coaches office and changing rooms.
