Bellville Velodrome redevelopment sparks outcry as indoor cycling track faces closure

The cycling community has raised concerns over the City of Cape Town’s redevelopment plan for the Bellville Velodrome.

The Mayoral Committee has approved a deal for a private developer to lease the site for an initial 50 years, with an option to renew for a further 10 years, in order to transform it into a world-class events and sporting hub.

Although the plan still requires council approval, it has already been met with backlash from the cycling community.

RELATED: Cape Town residents petition to save the Bellville Velodrome

Track cycling representative Jaco Scholtz said the venue houses the country’s only Olympic-standard indoor cycling track.

“It’s effectively the end of elite indoor track cycling in Cape Town. It sets us back generations and means South Africa disappears from the world map,” he said.

He added that the track has long served as a vital hub for athletes across the city, providing a safe space to train year-round.

“It’s a place of belonging for many athletes, from Ocean View and surrounding townships to Sea Point and Strand. If we lose that facility, we lose that sense of community. It’s not just about the athletes — it’s about the community built around it.”

Scholtz said the cycling community has been fighting to save the track for years, submitting proposals to the mayor for more than two years and advocating for it to remain a mixed-use facility.

“We support the inclusion of other sports and events, but the indoor track must be retained. The facility can be shared while still serving multiple sporting and entertainment needs.”

To listen to Burke in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, click the audio player below: