Reports are filtering down about Monday evening's town council meeting. This was the first not to be on Facebook. The public were able to gain access via a Zoom link or attend in person. We aren't sure know how many did so in total.
Initially the velodrome was a town council-inspired scheme. The idea is not new. Perhaps because it's too large for a town council to deliver, so Denbighshire Leisure Ltd has taken it on. That business is a wholly owned subsidiary of Denbighshire council.
Stakeholders have yet to agreed the project. As far as we know, Ysgol Brynhyfryd on whose fields the velodrome could be built has yet to give permission. Local county councillors seem positive and the county council supports the project but won't bridge the funding gap. This passed down the chain to the town council.
On Monday, informed sources suggest that they agreed to fund the c.£200,000 gap. We understand there were abstentions but no one voted agin.
Is the Velodrome A Good Thing?
To quote Syr Humphry Appleby, 'Yes and no'. Yes, because:
- It sees an important economic investment in the town. We rarely get the privilege of this sort of project (worth several million). Usually, they seem to go to Y Rhyl: this has previously caused rancour hereabouts.
- It will bring people to this part of the world who otherwise would bypass us. There will be economic spin offs more generally but especially for the hospitality and dining sectors.
- It may as well be in Rhuthun/Ruthin as anywhere. If not here, some other town will get the benefit.
- Everything sports-wise in Rhuthun is based on rugby and football. But there are other sports. Rhuthun may yet become a centre to promote cycling in the north.
- It enhances the facilities the school has to offer. There will be shared use. The cycling facility, associated pitch and possibility of a running track will only be available to the wider cycling community at the close of the school day and at weekends, after school use.
On the other hand, no, because:
- This has no benefit for the youth of the town. They would probably rather play soccer. Or play station. More generally, the site will be used only by outsiders and it will do nothing for our own.
- There is limited wider economic benefit. People will drive in, cycle around a bit and drive out.
- Because it's regional not local, it should be funded entirely by Sports Wales and the county council.
- Then, there's the impact on the future precept (e.g. on-going running costs). It wasn't clear from the rumours whether the precept would need to increase but at least the town council reserves are healthy.
So, A Good Thing or Not?
There are definitely positive and negative aspects to the velodrome. Ultimately, you make up your own mind. On balance, we'd say this could be a scheme everyone should be able to get behind. It flies a flag for Rhuthun. It remains a shame that there was no pre-planning consultation, though. The planning exercise is now the de facto vehicle if members of the public wish to suggest a view and this is far from ideal. They're unlikely to respond to planning unless they are an immediate neighbour. That said, previous later Masterplan iterations gave the public an opportunity to comment on the velodrome.