The home of Wisbech Town Football Club could be set to welcome a new speed skating and cycling track – if plans to build the facility are approved.
The Federation of Inline Speed Skating has submitted plans to turn an unused training pitch on the grounds of Wisbech’s Elgood’s Fenland Stadium into an all-weather track, funded by the Fenmen and Sport England.
The application’s design and access statement said: “It has always been the ambition of Wisbech Town Football Club to attract other sports to utilise the land.
“The skating and cycling clubs have been looking for a site for some time, thus making this an ideal venture for both parties.”
If the plans are approved, local clubs such as Wisbech Wheelers, Wisbech Inline Skating Club and King’s Lynn Cycling Club are likely to use the track as a base to attract new members and encourage those unfamiliar to the sport to get involved.
The statement also outlined the club’s desire to hold local and national events at the track, as well as being available to local schools and clubs: “The club’s ambition is to hold a small number of national skating race events, managed and supported by the Federation of Inline Speed Skating with the possibility of European events in the future, managed and supported by the European governing body.
“Schools and other local communities will also be able use the facility, thus contributing to a much needed improvement in the obesity statistics for the local area. The club also propose to provide access to skates for newcomers, helping to generate interest and increase club numbers.”
The Elgood’s Fenland Stadium, which has a capacity of over 1,000, will not be affected by the building of the track, and events held at the new facility would not clash with any Fenmen fixtures.
The popularity of short track, long track and road racing is ever-growing in the UK and is well-established across Europe and the sport has been shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee for inclusion in the Olympic Games.
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