Behind The Scenes Of Derby Arena

12 September 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Work is underway on a new multi-use sporting arena that is being built near Pride Park in Derby.

Capital got a behind the scenes look at the work on the new velodrome, which is due to open in November 2014. 

It's going to include: 

  • 250 meter indoor cycling track for track cycling ranging from big events, track leagues and for beginners to use. 
  • Infield sports hall:  all activities that can take place in a sports hall including badminton, basketball, netball, wheelchair basketball, volleyball martial arts, table tennis, trampolining
  • Fitness gym and group exercise studios
  • Cultural events, exhibitions, product launches, conferences – up to 5000 people standing and sitting (1500 permanent seats)
  • Cafe and bar/hospitality
  • The weight of the steelwork used is equivalent to approximately 200 London Buses. 
  • If laid end to end the steel members used in the construction would stretch the length of a marathon. 
Project Director for the Derby multi-sports arena, Neil Brook from Bowmer and Kirkland said; "everything is very much progressing to time and on budget and going very well. I think people from around the city can see the scale of it now and they'll see it all coming together over the coming months, as the cladding goes on the building."
 
Also there to take Capital around the site was Councillor Martin Repton, who is the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at Derby City Council - he said; "it is going to put Derby on the map and I believe it's going to be our own Angel of the North. When trains are coming past people will look out and say, good God, what's that over there? Yes, it's the Derby Velodrome! People are going to be so excited about this."