VELOKHAYA BMX OVAL
The Velokhaya BMX Oval is the first phase of a long-term project made possible with the generous support of a number of local and international organizations.
The long-awaited Velokhaya BMX Oval in Khayelitsha was officially opened during November 2008 - the realisation of a five-year dream to build a cycling facility that would make cycling more accessible to disadvantaged communities in the area.
The Oval is situated in the heart of Khayelitsha, Cape Town's largest township and the second largest township in South Africa after Soweto. The new BMX facility serves as a much-needed recreational facility for children; a place where they can have fun and learn new skills in a secure environment. It will also assist the Life Cycling Academy in identifying future cycling talent.
The BMX Oval is the culmination of the combined efforts and dedication of many people whose will and determination in realising this dream ensured that the Oval opened to the community less than a year after the groundbreaking ceremony in December 2007, and less than two years after Team CSC first visited the LCA in Khayelitsha and pledged its support.
The Velokhaya BMX Oval is the first phase of a long-term project made possible with the generous support of a number of local and international organizations, including CSC, Riis Cycling, Cervelo, Pick n Pay, Engen, Safmarine, Mars Africa, the Pedal Power Association and the Canal Walk Foundation.
In keeping with the eco-friendly nature of cycling, recycled shipping containers - donated by shipping line Safmarine and converted with funds provided by Mars Africa and the Pedal Power Association - were used to construct the new BMX Oval buildings and BMX track which has been built to international competition standards.
The Oval facilities include a viewing platform, a club house, toilets and showers, a race office and commentary box.
Velokhaya Training Workshop and Start Ramp Facility
This facility will facilitate the maintenance and storage of the Velokhaya and LCA equipment as well as provide the opportunity to empower and uplift members of the community in terms of skills development.
As important as the development of the young participants in the LCA and Velokhaya cycling program is the upliftment and empowerment of adult participants in terms of skill development that can support the programs presented and lead to other possible employment opportunities.
To this end, Velokhaya has developed a bicycle mechanics training program and is now in the process of developing the facilities in which this training and upliftment can take place. The training program will include the training and development of bicycle mechanics that will follow an eight month program including the various phases of learning connected to the workshop environment and bicycle repair and maintenance, as well as having the opportunity to gain practical experience in commercial bicycle workshops during the period of the course.
The dual-purpose Velokhaya Training Workshop facility will not only serve as an educational facility but also form the base of the BMX Track starting ramp. The facility will consist primarily of four recycled Safmarine containers, already on site, which will be refurbished and supplemented with brickwork in order to provide the following:
- Workshop and wash bay area of 36 sq meters
- Workshop storage facility of 60 sq meters
- Velokhaya Cycling Centre Maintenance equipment storage facility of 12 sq meters
- Further storage of 12 sq meters
For photos and more about the BMX Oval, see our 17 December 2008 Newsletter.
VELOKHAYA CYCLING CENTRE
Developing athletes within the community is important for both the growth of the athletes and for the growth of the communities.
It is most pleasing to see how popular cycling is becoming in South Africa's disadvantaged communities; not only are more and more children from these areas participating in the sport, but a number of the LCA's cyclists are starting to make their mark at the highest levels of the sport.
Once athletes in the LCA programs have reached a certain level of participation in the sport, it is of the utmost importance that they have access to facilities and the expertise that will allow them to progress and compete, on an equal footing, against riders from more privileged backgrounds.
The LCA is currently raising funds to build a Velokhaya High Performance Centre which will accommodate up to 30 athletes with the following facilities:
- Administration
- High Performance Laboratory
- Lecture Rooms
- Accommodation
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen and dining room
- Recreational area
Based in the heart of the township of Khayelitsha, the Velokhaya Cycling Centre - which will be built on land donated by the City of Cape Town (Sport & Recreation) - will focus on developing the community's most talented athletes, those who have the ability to perform at the highest levels of the sport.
The LCA's existing partnership with one of South Africa's leading sport scientists, Dr Jeroen Swart, and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa will ensure these athletes receive top level training and preparation.
Most importantly, the Velokhaya High Performance Centre will allow the athletes to develop within their community, as opposed to taking the athletes out of the community and into areas where they are not secure.
Developing athletes within the community is important for both the growth of the athletes and for the growth of the communities. By building a facility in the heart of Khayelitsha, the community will be able to witness, first hand, the transformation of individuals into champions.
Funding.
The following provisional amounts have been placed on the above phases of development:
- Velokhaya Training Workshop and Start Ramp facility: R400 000.00
- Velokhaya High Performance Centre facility: R4 000 000.00
The LCA is currently working on strategies in order to raise this funding which include both national and international campaigns.