Once one of the city's most popular leisure and tourism sites, the creation of Belle Vue Sport Village will revive the local area’s reputation as a major destination in the city.
Local residents and businesses are invited to attend drop in sessions as part of the community consultation prior to a planning application is submitted late June:
• Tuesday 10th June at Gorton Library during 2-7pm
• Saturday 14th June at Gorton Market during 12-5pm
• Wednesday 18th June at Belle Vue Leisure Centre during 2-7pm
• Thursday 19th June at Mount Road Sure Start Centre during 2-7pm
The new sports village will become home to significant national centres for both speedway and basketball, offering a range of world class sports facilities for community and elite users, along with the modernisation of the existing local leisure centre.
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Following initial plans announced last year, new proposals for Belle Vue include a brand new speedway stadium for the historic Belle Vue Aces club, a national performance centre for basketball, including a 2,000 seat central match court - two new 3G (all-weather) pitches and high quality improvements to the existing fitness and leisure facilities.
The new speedway stadium, including a 1,800 seat grandstand, will allow the Aces to compete at the highest level, while allowing the club to host not only national race meets, but as one of the best tracks in Europe will also compete with major venues across the continent.
The new stadium will also include acoustic treatment to reduce noise for the first time in the history of the club being located at Belle Vue.
Belle Vue Aces will also provide a Speedway Academy, which will provide training and coaching for riders from the age of seven, through to adult competition riding. This will include riding, technical and mechanical skills, in both a practical and classroom setting.
The academy will be open to local people, and the club are also committed to working with local schools and The Manchester College to train young people in the mechanical and engineering aspects of the sport.
Cllr Jeff Smith, Manchester City Council's executive member for housing and regeneration, said: "We would urge anyone in the local community to come forward with their views on the proposals for Belle Vue Sports Village. The development will sit at the heart of the Gorton area and will become a major asset that the local community will be encouraged to take full advantage of."
(CD/MH)
