Avantidrome Business Profile | 28 July 2017

Avantidrome

JULY 2017 1

Business profile – July 2017

Welcome to the first in a series of Cambridge News Business Profiles showcasing leading businesses within the region

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Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

“The Avantidrome has a special vibe and has attracted a great group of dedicated trustees, knowledgeable and very capable staff, and inspirational coaches and volunteers.” – Avantidrome chairperson, Susan Paterson.

Good governance marks steady progress

THE $30M AVANTIDROME JUST 3KM OUTSIDE CAMBRIDGE HAS BECOME WIDELY RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S PREMIER SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. Its steady trajectory towards that goal since being officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April 2014 has been put down to several factors by Avantidrome chairperson Susan Paterson.

In the recently-released annual report, she attributed the progress to a great team, good governance, sound financial management and significant growth, across both community use and in the increased use by various groups of the functions rooms and spaces.

The successful integration of community use was recognised by the Avantidrome’s 2017 win in the Community Facility category of the NZ Transport Agency’s annual Favourite Places to Ride competition.

The past year saw a change in management structure at the Avantidrome, with Home of Cycling bringing Cycling New Zealand on board as the facility’s general manager. Susan described the arrangement as one that

provided “access to the resources of a larger organisation, and enabled us to significantly upgrade our governance, systems and processes”.

The ongoing support of sponsors has also helped the Avantidrome make significant progress towards its stated goal of becoming debt-free by 2020, with new grants received from Grassroots Trust, Pub Charity, Trust Waikato and the Frances Skeets Charitable Trust.

The recent announcement of a funding agreement with the Brian Perry Charitable Trust recognising the relationship between the Avantidrome and BPCT’s newest community project, the Podium Sports Lodge, was welcomed by the Home of Cycling Board in its ongoing efforts to pay down debt.

The Lodge is expected to open later this year and will offer accommodation and services to complement Waipa’s existing facilities. In a continuation

of its stated high performance and community partnership model, the Avantidrome will work with the Podium Sports Lodge to create exclusive high performance sport experiences for lodge visitors, with proceeds to be returned to the community.

Patronage of the Avantidrome has increased steadily since it opened. An impressive 81 percent of total track usage is now community-based, with the balance being 13 percent high performance use, and six percent from the newly-formed Grassroots Trust Waikato/BOP Hub, Cycling New Zealand’s regional pathway to the high performance programme.

Recreational users from around the region account for that 81 percent, and include school students and senior citizens, those with disabilities, local businesses and competitive riders.

The creation of a new functions co-ordinator role during the year has increased the uptake of the

Avantidrome’s function spaces by both businesses and private users who love the unique environment. The occupancy of office and ancillary space remains at 100 percent, with demand increasing as the Avantidrome and Cambridge continue to be a place people want to work and where they want to base their operations.

Susan said high community usage and the mix of tenants from Cycling New Zealand to High Performance Sport NZ, Tri NZ and the University of Waikato has ensured a vibrant atmosphere and a ‘one stop shop’ for high performance athletes to access gyms, hot and cold baths, mechanics, physio, medical and research staff, and all the support they need to compete on the world stage.

PHOTO: Avantidrome chairperson Susan Paterson says the goal is for the facility to be debt-free by 2020.

Big dreams turned into reality

THE WORLD-CLASS AVANTIDROME ROSE FROM A MODEST PATCH OF GREEN JUST OUTSIDE CAMBRIDGE WITH A VERY PARTICULAR PURPOSE IN MIND. The story began in mid-2010 with the government’s stated wish to see a major expansion of high performance sports in New Zealand. Key to that brief was a plan to create a cycling centre of excellence.

Sport and Recreation NZ (SPARC) was tasked with handling the tender process for the development of a National Cycling Centre of Excellence, and the Waikato/Bay of Plenty bid from the Home of Cycling Charitable Trust was selected from 11 others as the preferred tenderer. In September 2011, following a $6m investment from the Waikato Regional Council, the Trust was given the nod to go ahead. Land gifted by St Peter’s School was earmarked for the development.

Construction began in June 2012 and was completed in February 2014, just 21 months later. The multimillion dollar cycling centre secured a 10year naming rights deal with cycling

giant Avanti, and became known as the Avantidrome. Permanent tenants include Cycling New Zealand, Triathlon New Zealand, Paralympics (Para-Cycling) New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand, the University of Waikato, the Avanti Bike Shop, and the Bikery Café.

One of the specifications emphasised at the outset was that the facility should not only be a world-class velodrome, but it should also provide access to worldclass training and competition facilities for road, MTB, and BMX cycling, and provide a range of community facilities.

It has met that brief with equanimity.

Since being officially opened

by Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on April 12, 2014, many thousands have flocked to the Avantidrome. Among them have been world champions and Olympians, government dignitaries, national and international visitors and a host of locals

of all ages who have relished having such an extraordinary facility so readily accessible.

AVANTIDROME FACTS: • The Home of Cycling Charitable Trust owns and operates the Avantidrome.

• The total cost of the facility was $30 million. It was funded equally by central government, local government, gaming and community trusts, with commercial sponsors contributing around 25 percent of the funding.

• The stadium accommodates 1525 seats (expandable for large events), and there are 365 high bay lights providing up to 2000 lux illumination.

• There is 2500 square metres of office space.

• The building is 77 metres by 120 metres, with its highest point being the equivalent of a six-storey building. The foundations took 3500 cubic metres of concrete - the equivalent of a 30km

footpath.

• Around 160 nationally carded athletes use the facility.

• The top speed set on the track was 75kph, set by Eddie Dawkins in September 2014.

• An impressive 81 percent of on-track activity is by community users. In its first year of operation, there were 21,000 community rides on the track – there are now over 24,000.

• Over 500 children use the free Gallagher bike skills park and Perry Playground each day over weekends.

• The 250 metre velodrome track is made from Siberian Spruce timber. Its maximum slope is 43.5 degrees, and if laid out, the timber lengths would stretch for about 52km.

PHOTO: Rising from the land just 3km from Cambridge, the Avantidrome took 21 months to complete.

Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

Tried and tested over the past three years, the Avantidrome’s award-winning strategy is to build on its success as a unique facility with growing benefits for both community and country.

The community

the Avantidrome’s stroke of genius

THE AVANTIDROME HAS GROWN MORE COMFORTABLE IN ITS SKIN OVER THE THREE YEARS SINCE IT OPENED – BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THOSE RUNNING IT INTEND TO SIT ON THEIR LAURELS. Far from it, in fact.

Even as those steering the ship applaud the Avantidrome’s success in meeting its original brief, plans are underway to craft a long-term future that will continue to benefit both high performance athletes and recreational users.

Central to those plans is the drive for the facility to be debt-free by 2020, says Cycling New Zealand chief executive and Avantidrome general manager, Andrew Matheson.

“We have already seen a significant reduction in that debt, particularly over the last two years. It is very important we meet that 2020 debt-free goal in order to continue to keep the facility

self-sustaining and to ensure that it is not a drain on the community, or on the council well into the future.”

Debt reduction topped the goals list in the Avantidrome’s Strategic Plan 20162020, but at the same time as moving steadily towards meeting that target, work is being done to investigate how the future expansion of the facility could be matched with anticipated demand.

The original design had long-term expansion in mind, with any future growth earmarked to extend beyond the Cambridge-facing end of the site, Andrew said. But any move to advance that plan would depend on keeping current progress on track.

“We have got a model that is working

really well right now. We would not consider any expansion without certainty of demand.”

Another goal to aim at before 2020 is to assist in hosting at least one worldclass event.

“The fact is the UCI World Cup in December 2015 was a hugely successful event for everyone,” he said. “We would like to hold another international quality event before 2020. We know we can do it, and we know the benefits are there.”

Ongoing objectives include increasing the awareness and participation from the community, and facilitating more community programmes alongside the high performance programmes – both moves which will continue to

maximise the multiple-use goals of the Avantidrome.

“What was envisaged at the outset – a model that offered a world-class velodrome and sport and recreation complex – has come to fruition.”

“In refreshing the Strategic Plan, we have been taking stock of where we are at, and looking at future opportunities that will see us move sustainably into the future for the benefit of the whole community.”

PHOTO: Cycling New Zealand chief executive and Avantidrome general manager, Andrew Matheson, says the Avantidrome model is working very well.

Local support wins top award

BRINGING THE COMMUNITY ON BOARD WAS ALWAYS PART OF THE AVANTIDROME PLAN, BUT FEW COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED JUST HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT ENGAGEMENT WOULD BE. The Avantidrome’s 2017 win in the Community Facility category for the NZ Transport Agency’s annual Favourite Places to Ride competition gave national validation to something most people already knew - community is king.

When plans to develop a “cycling centre of excellence” were announced in 2010 by then Prime Minister John Key, mention was made that the facility would not only provide a world-class velodrome for elite athletes, but it would also offer activities likely to attract the wider community.

The NZTA award given in May this year showed the Avantidrome has remained true to that objective.

Some 81 percent of the facility’s use today is by the community – by men, women and children of all persuasions and levels of fitness. Increasing numbers

try out the track in Have-a-Go sessions, and hundreds of school-aged users are part of a buoyant youth programme.

There are also seniors, the disabled and those recuperating from illness or injury who have become regular trike users, growing numbers who make use of the Life Fitness Zone gym, and regular walkers completing circuits high above the infield. Mums with youngsters in strollers are more recent additions, enjoying a different form of fitness training that doesn’t mean having to leave baby behind.

Almost as recent is the introduction of Cambridge NZ parkrun, which sees participants gather at the Avantidrome on Saturday mornings to complete a free 5km timed run along the Te Awa Track. It’s part of an international initiative the organisers considered to be a good fit with the Avantidrome and

its surrounds.

The facility’s programme and events manager Mark Lucas views the NZTA win as one that is as much for the community as it is for the Avantidrome itself.

“We have worked hard to shift public awareness away from seeing this as a high performance only facility. Of course, we have elite athletes training here, but this facility was not built with only them in mind.

“This award signifies that we are succeeding in breaking down those perceptions.”

Mark has plenty of cycling chops of his own, having ratcheted up a raft of international successes both as a rider and a coach. He joined the Avantidrome in November 2015, just after what he called the “honeymoon” phase of its programme development.

“It was new and exciting … everyone

wanted to come and have a look.

That was the start of our community engagement and it’s grown from there. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved as a team.”

Recent figures say community use of the track has gone from 3528 hours to 4205 hours. While that number covers the gamut of community activities, one of the biggest gains has been in the Wheels in Motion Trikes programme, which has gone from 40 riders three years ago, to 2767 over the past year.

Mark says tThe 24,232 community riders who used the track during the year had ridden for 36,482 hours – or, according to his mathematical formula, an impressive 912,062km!

PHOTO: Avantidrome chairperson Susan Paterson and general manager Andrew Matheson with the recently won NZTA Award.

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Business profile – July 2017

“Sometimes you see the fear in their eyes at the same time as a big grin on their face.”

Riding the track a treat for everyone

ACCREDITED COACHES TAKING PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR PACES AT THE AVANTIDROME’S POPULAR HAVE-A-GO SESSIONS HAVE ONE OF THE MOST UPLIFTING ROLES AROUND. One of their number is long-time rider and cycling commentator Del Woodford. He frequently leads groups of up to 15 through their Have-a-Go sessions and says the responses he fields are often priceless.

“Most people are understandably apprehensive at the start; after all, very few will have had the opportunity to ride on a velodrome before coming here,” he said. “But once they’re taken through the process and find they can actually ride the track, they do a complete 180 degree-turnaround.

Sometimes you see the fear in their eyes at the same time as a big grin on their face.”

The Have-a-Go sessions were introduced by the Avantidrome soon after it opened, essentially to provide

the community with an opportunity to experience riding on the velodrome for themselves. Now up to 150 people a month take up the offer, with many going on to join other programmes.

For just $25, punters aged 10 and upwards can come along, hire a bike and a helmet, go through a quick familiarisation process and then ride the track for an hour.

Training starts on the infield, with riders shown the ropes around riding bikes that have no brakes and no gears.

From there, they graduate to the flat grey strip at the bottom of the wooden track, and then they head upwards onto the middle and upper levels of the velodrome.

“It doesn’t take long for them to find they can ride with relative ease. Once

they get the feel of the wood beneath them, we encourage them to follow the contours and keep looking in the direction they want to go. As long as they don’t turn too sharply or let their speed drop too low, they’ll be fine.”

Even those happy to stick to just one session usually exit the Avantidrome on a high. The adrenalin hit is felt by all; many opt to move through the accreditation process which teaches them everything that’s required to safely ride with coached classes or in open sessions. A good number are hooked from the first time they ride the track – they’re the firsttimers who become accredited to ride on the velodrome unsupervised.

People who are considering entering teams in events such as the upcoming BNZ Corporate Challenge often elect to

try the Have-a-Go sessions beforehand to see if they’re up to the task.

This type of community activity is a rarity in many velodromes around the world, said Del, primarily because many were built for specific events – such as Commonwealth or Olympic games – which means they are not set up for community use.

The Avantidrome has done it differently, and the benefits to the community still blow him away.

“I am always surprised at the incredible value that these sessions offer.

Quite a few people arrive believing they can’t cannot do it, but by the time that hour is up, they’ve been around the track a few times and are really buzzing.”

PHOTO: One of the Have a Go riders getting a little help from John McDonnell.

Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

The popular Community Trikes programme co-ordinator Aaron Ure – aka ‘Mr Trikes’ – shares a special relationship with his riders.

Trike riders Just keep rolling in

THE RISING POPULARITY OF THE COMMUNITY TRIKES PROGRAMME IS ONE OF THE AVANTIDROME’S MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY STORIES. That programme logged an impressive 300 percent increase over the past year.

There were around 40 riders when it started three years ago. This year, that number swelled to 2767, with the number of users tripling in just the last 12 months – sure testimony to the programme’s broad appeal.

The trikes are used by the elderly, people recovering from illness or injury, those living with physical or other disabilities, and anyone else seeking a confidence-boosting introduction or return to riding, all under the guidance of programme co-ordinator Aaron Ure – who is known with not inconsiderable affection as ‘Mr Trikes’.

Subscribers generally ride around the broad sweep of the infield, or can choose to work on balance and the like through the obstacles set up, but the

more confident usually take to the grey flat strip at the bottom of the wooden velodrome track itself. It is quite normal to see seniors riding trikes along the strip at the same time as elite cyclists are in training on the track, while walkers and mums with babies in strollers are striding out around the perimeter, and yet others are going through their paces at the Life Fitness Zone gym.

The environment is one which seeks to inspire, and judging from the success of those under Aaron’s care, it is certainly doing that.

The trikes programme began in a small way several years ago, steered then by Dean Foreman and Aaron. The idea was to form a group that used adult trikes to give people living with disabilities an opportunity to be active.

Aaron, whose had worked in the

disability and aged care sector himself, knew exactly how helpful they could be.

He had been left with spinal damage following a workplace injury, and found himself restricted to crutches and a walking stick whenever out of his wheelchair. He joined the Avantidrome’s walking group, where Dean suggested he try riding one of the trikes.

“First of all, I was amazed I could ride at all, then I started picking up speed,” Aaron laughs. “The NZ elite riders were often training at the same time, and they would shout out encouragement to me. I was hooked … now I’m passionate about seeing others enjoy the same success.”

Aaron has become a champion for all those seeking a safe way to boost their fitness or recover from injury or illness. As an Avantidrome employee, he now co-

ordinates three sessions across five days a week, catering for up to 150 riders, and has someone help him run them.

Riders come from local aged care homes, from Morrinsville, Taupo, Turangi, Rotorua, Tauranga, even Auckland.

Many have gone on to purchase their own trike to use at home, and some have taken it up competitively, entering the Trike Time Trials.

The first of those was held at the Avantidrome in February, with 27 local riders joining those from around the North Island, and another is planned for the facility early next year.

PHOTO: Aaron ‘Mr Trikes’ Ure, right, and Avantidrome programme and events manager Mark Lucas share a laugh with some of the regular trike riders.

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Business profile – July 2017

There is very little linked to cycling that can’t be purchased, hired or fixed at the Avanti Bike Shop.

The best little bike shop

A ONE-STOP BIKE SHOP THAT STARTED OUT LIFE AS A PLACE TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS OF A CYCLING PERSUASION HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST VISITED AREAS OF THE AVANTIDROME. The Avanti Bike Shop wasn’t really intended to be a bike shop at the outset.

Much of the backstory to changing that relates to the founder of Avanti in New Zealand, John Struthers. He had long been an advocate and supporter of building a velodrome in the North Island for the long-term good of cycling and had been actively involved in bringing the new facility to fruition.

Sheppard Cycles - a major manufacturer and distributor of bicycles internationally and the creators of Avanti - launched the first Avanti bike into the New Zealand market in 1985.

Since then, the range has extended to cover more than 100 models for all cycling ages and requirements, from kids’ bikes to those used by Olympians.

So when the Avantidrome first opened in 2014, a decision was made in conjunction with Sheppard Cycles to use the space as a showroom of sorts in which to display their products to visitors.

The idea was to give people viewing the new facility something to look at besides the track itself.

But it didn’t take long before people using the Avantidrome wanted more.

“Very early on, it became apparent that we’d have to move up to sales,” said Jim McMurray, Sheppard Cycles’ account manager and five-time world champion cyclist. “Then community riders using the Avantidrome began asking us for help with their bikes, so we introduced the servicing side. It wasn’t long before what had started out as a place to simply showcase our products

fast became a fully-fledged sales and service shop.”

Now, what the Avanti Bike Shop lacks in space it more than makes up for in heart.

The outlet carries the Raleigh, Avanti, Scott and Malvern Star range, and caters for all types of cyclists across all ages, both recreational and competitive. There are track bikes, mountain and road bikes, touring bikes, BMX bikes and numerous other besides. Relatively new, and gaining momentum with each passing day are the increasingly popular e-bikes, electric bikes that offer ‘assisted’ riding and provide the operator with 100 to 150 kilometres of distance before having to recharge.

The shop also does a bike rental

service, both for standard and e-bikes, with varying lease times on offer. Many visitors hire one to take a spin into and around Cambridge along the Te Awa Cycleway.

The shop is managed by South African-born Michael van Enter, who became one of the youngest to hold a UCI licence at just age five. Mike’s award-winning dad Eric pioneered the Eric van Enter South African Interprovincial school cycling competition, and Mike himself has won numerous road nationals and holds three South African track records.

Mike has been with the Avanti Bike Shop since it opened, and helping him out on a part-time basis is Ian Gardner.

Additional assistance comes from oncall part-timers Cameron Riches and

Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

McKenzie Milne.

As the drop-in numbers have grown – particularly during major events - so has the sales range. Besides bikes and other related gear, the shop also stocks a good range of cyclewear, helmets, parts and accessories, items like water bottles, a line of energy drinks and food and more.

“We were finding people came to use the track, either for competition or recreational purposes, and might have forgotten to bring their water bottle or their helmet,” Mike explained. “It’s so much easier for them to buy one here rather than have to go all the way into town. We often find something like that happens with families whose children are using the Gallagher bike skills park or the indoor track, and it’s so much easier

with us being right here on site.”

The small but well kitted-out workshop area behind the counter is generally busy all the time as Michael and Ian are often called upon to make repairs to bikes being used by community riders. High performance and elite cyclists at the Avantidrome have their own workshop facilities elsewhere on the premises, so it’s generally only recreational users who need to have repair work done at the bike shop.

“We keep a good stock of parts here so that we can cover most of the repair needs on site; we can do everything from a full service where we strip a bike down to its frame to just minor adjustments. It’s a pretty unusual set-up we have, but it works extremely well for the community.

“Having us right here makes a big difference to people who are keen on their cycling and who come to the Avantidrome to use its facilities. And as more and more people realise that we’re here, the place is just getting busier.”

Plans are to keep answering the community need, said Jim McMurray.

“We started out doing that right at the beginning – there was no way we could have known it was going to grow into what it has become. This Avanti Bike Shop is quite unique in terms of where it is sited and what it does.”

As more people use the Avantidrome, there will continue to be more demands Sheppard Cycles will strive to meet, and they’re more than up for the challenge.

PHOTOS: Previous page: The Avanti Bike Shop has a wide range of cycles and accessories.

Top left: Ian Gardner, left, and Avanti Bike Shop manager Michael van Enter repairing a bike in the workshop area.

Top middle: Sheppard Cycles’ account manager Jim McMurray is a five-time world champion cyclist.

Top right: Avanti Bike Shop manager Michael van Enter, right, and Ian Gardner, with replicas of the gifts presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their son, Prince George.

Avanti founder John Struthers presented the royal couple with the Little Ripper bike and a set of lycra when they officially opened the Avantidrome in April 2014.

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Business profile – July 2017

“When riders came out for the World Cup in 2015, they readily admitted to being quite jealous of our facilities.”

High performance wins international acclaim

WHILE THE BULK OF AVANTIDROME PATRONS ARE RECREATIONAL USERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, NEW ZEALAND’S HIGH PERFORMANCE CYCLISTS ADD A TOUCH OF STARDUST TO IT ALL. THEY’RE THE ONES EITHER ALREADY MAKING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE OR BEING GROOMED FOR GLOBAL SUCCESS, AND LOOKING AFTER THEIR EVERY NEED IS A VERY ATTENTIVE CYCLING NEW ZEALAND. It made complete sense for the Home of Cycling Charitable Trust to build the world-class Avantidrome just 3km outside Cambridge. This was, after all, the ‘Home of Champions’.

The town had already produced several Olympian and international athletes across several disciplines and hosted numerous major sporting events, so when those at the top were on the lookout for a place in which to establish a cycling centre of excellence, Cambridge was their pick.

In the three years since the Avantidrome opened, Cycling New Zealand’s growing high performance

programme has become recognised nationally and internationally as one of the best there is. Training at all levels has helped generate an increasing number of medals in major events, and development pathways established to support up-and-coming athletes as they progress are starting to pay dividends.

Facilities at the Avantidrome are second-to-none. According to Cycling New Zealand chief executive and Avantidrome general manager, Andrew Matheson, they have already elicited high praise from global quarters.

“When riders came out for the World

Cup in 2015, they readily admitted to being quite jealous of our facilities - it was great to hear. Our set-up isn’t flashy, but it is one that provides everything high performance athletes need.”

That encompasses a medical and rehabilitation centre, hot and cold recovery pools, an athlete’s lounge with study and rest space as well as kitchen facilities, office space and consultation rooms. There is also a specially kittedout high performance gym, which is completely separate from the community-focused Life Fitness Zone gym that is situated to one side of the infield.

Access to these facilities is restricted to ‘carded’ athletes.

This year, there are more than 35 ‘carded’ cyclists among nearly 160 ‘carded’ athletes across various sports - including rowing, netball, triathlon, athletics, and rugby sevens - which puts Waikato numbers on a par with the number in Auckland, the other main national training centre.

“There’s no doubt that number will continue to grow, even as the pressure to become ‘carded’ gets tougher,” said Andrew. “We’re also seeing an increase in the number of ‘pre-carded’ athletes coming through now.”

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Support mechanisms are currently focusing on bringing high performance track squad and individual athletes to the podium at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, and to achieve success in high performance MTB, Road and BMX individual campaigns. But ongoing developmental programmes are looking well beyond that, and Cycling New Zealand has established a network of Cycling Performance Hubs to support this development. The Grassroots Trust Waikato/BOP Performance Hub is based from the Avantidrome.

Many emerging athletes affiliated with the nationwide Pathway to Podium

programme train at the Avantidrome, making the most of experienced coaching and a well-supported high performance environment in which to hone their talent. The initiative is aimed at athletes who are considered to be within one to three years from entering the high performance system, and three to five years from podium – so it’s considered to be a valuable training ground for young athletes aspiring to national or international success.

Pathway to Podium is run in partnership between Sport New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) and 14 regional hubs around the country.

It is led by Sport Waikato in this region.

The overarching objective for the Cycling New Zealand Performance Hubs is to systematically increase the quality and quantity of riders available to Cycling New Zealand’s High Performance Programme.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to enable up-and-coming athletes not only to reap the rewards that come from seeing their role models in action, but also puts them in an effective learning environment that creates familiarity around competitive space at that level,” said Andrew.

Some six percent of track usage at the Avantidrome is taken up by

developmental programmes, while 13 percent is attributed to high performance use.

PHOTOS: Previous Page: The Avantidrome established itself as a world-class venue after it successfully hosted the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in late 2015.

Above left: A state-of-the-art gym is part of an impressive suite of facilities available at the Avantidrome for use by high performance athletes.

Above right: The NZ Women’s Team Pursuit team pictured training at the Avantidrome prior to the World Track Championships held in Hong Kong earlier this year. Photo: Mark Hamilton.

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Business profile – July 2017

“There is a feeling about the place that you don’t get anywhere else. You feel as though you are surrounded by champions – and very often you are.”

Community health and fitness THE STEADY GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE AVANTIDROME’S LIFE FITNESS ZONE REFLECTS THE SUCCESS OF AN ARRANGEMENT THAT IS ALMOST UNHEARD OF IN OTHER PREMIER SPORTS FACILITIES. Use of the Life Fitness Zone gym in the Avantidrome’s infield has increased by an impressive 130 percent in just the last 12 months, and 99 percent of that is community use. That’s because the carded high-performance athletes make use of a purpose-build gym in another part of the building.

On any given day, the Life Fitness Zone hums with people ranging from their teens to their 90s, working out either individually or as part of a group led by qualified trainers. At the same time, elite cyclists and Olympian athletes, seniors on trikes, mums pushing babies in prams and community walkers are likely to be working to their own training schedules in the arena.

That mixed use is what makes this

equipment. There are 20 spin bikes, eight Concept 2 rowing ergs, six Watt bikes, as well as treadmills, mats and more.

Its prime location is one of the best things about it, according to contracted fitness trainer Mel Engelbrecht.

“There is a feeling about the place that you don’t get anywhere else. You feel as though you are surrounded by champions – and very often you are. I don’t know of anywhere else in the world where you get world-class athletes training in the same area as people using a gym for general fitness.”

Mel has extensive experience in her field. She was a middle distance and cross training athlete, competing nationally in her native South Africa.

arrangement so unusual. Facilities catering for high-performance sports athletes across most disciplines are rarely set up to share training space with the community in quite the same way.

Programme and events manager Mark Lucas said having the Life Fitness Zone set up in the infield helps counter any remaining perceptions that the facility is not for community use. Seeing the gym in use by people who are clearly not top-ranking athletes is a powerful way of getting that point across.

“It has been tremendously helpful in breaking down those barriers.”

Sprawling across the top end of the infield, the Life Fitness Zone is home to an extensive top-of-the-line range of

She then completed a raft of qualifications around personal fitness and nutrition training. Since coming to New Zealand, she has worked as a personal and group fitness trainer and classical pilates trainer, and has owned and run her own local gym. She is also a senior assessor with Skills Active NZ. The Life Fitness Zone opened within months of the Avantidrome’s completion. Although the gym is unsupervised, members receive regular consultations from qualified trainers to ensure the workout environment remains as safe as possible.

PHOTO: Some of the regular users of the Life Fitness Zone going through their spin classes.

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Business profile – July 2017

11

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12 Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

“I’m not a biking person, I’m an eating person,” is the happy disclaimer from the non-cycling owner of The Bikery Café at the Avantidrome.

Serving up quality fare

NESTLING TO ONE SIDE OF THE AVANTIDROME AND SPLASHED IN SUNSHINE IS THE BIKERY CAFE – ONE OF THE COOLEST EATERIES AROUND. IT’S WHERE SAMARA THOMAS AND HER TEAM OFFER THEIR SPORTING AND NON-SPORTING PATRONS THE WARMEST OF WELCOMES.

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in hospitality - so when I saw this opportunity arise in this awesome community, I jumped at it.”

Samara and her partner, Matthew Rice, did a complete revamp of the old café, redecorating the space, adding a rustic cosiness and some lovely historical touches - most of them alluding to cycling.

Displayed on the walls and wooden shelving units are many old biking artefacts they sourced online, among them an old spring-loaded carrier frame and a canvas bike-bag now used to hold the menus. There are numerous old black and white cycling photographs, and judiciously placed quirky signs to point customers to different areas of the

EY G I R

RGAN I

building. Some images appear at the bottom of upturned teacups mounted on a wall, and there’s a smile-inducing message hanging behind the counter: “Keep calm, coffee’s coming”.

“We wanted to create an interesting friendly vibe,” Samara says. “I’m the ideas person, Matthew helps make it all happen.”

In June 2016, the newly-rebranded Bikery Café and Catering opened to the public, and it’s been full on ever since.

The café exudes a sensible mix of comfort and practicality, with couches appealing to the former, and wooden chairs and stools to the latter. Some 50 people can fit in the indoor space, and

up to 30 outside under sunshades and next to the planter boxes.

At the café’s heart is a fresh, vibrant and local food philosophy that embraces seasonal produce and a balanced menu that appeals to all. including free range and organic foods.

“We use only high-quality ingredients and stick as much as possible to accessing those locally. Everything in your coffee cup can be sourced within 35km of here,” Samara says. “I think it’s important to support the community in which we operate. We prefer to use produce that has been grown sustainably … quite a number of our local suppliers are family businesses.”

The coffee, for example, comes

The Vosper family and Cleavedale Farms have been together for five generations.

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JE

Samara Thomas, owner of The Bikery Café at the Avantidrome, is quick to say she’ll go the extra mile for any one of her customers – just don’t ask her to do it on a bike. That would be because Samara isn’t a cyclist. She does ride and you may well see her and her team members running around in their active wear- but Samara is primarily into food.

“I’m not a biking person as such, I’m an eating person,” she declares, though there’s little evidence of it on her trim frame. Her first job was in a café, and she’s on record as saying that she has spent many years since “nibbling” her way around the world.

“I have a travel and tourism background, but I grew up working

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Fresh Seasonal menu, made on site daily.

Email catering@thebikerycafe.co.nz Ph 07 2820605 www.thebikerycafe.co.nz

Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

from Morrinsville, the organic milk from Matamata, and some of the artisan breads from Mt Maunganui. The team goes to great lengths to ensure that what is served to customers is the best it can possibly be.

“You can find anything from creative raw treats to the favourite old classics, such as our popular custard slice made with organic Jersey Girl milk.”

The Bikery is for everyone in the community, not just those visiting the Avantidrome in a cycling capacity, and all comers – even those in their post-workout gear – are welcomed.

The café’s situated adjacent to the Gallagher Bike Skills Park, the Perry Playground, Te Awa Trail and the nearby St Peter’s School and Swimming

Life Is All About Balance

éfac

Academy means it regularly attracts families using those facilities as well as those just looking for a great eatery just 3km from Cambridge.

Because the Avantidrome hosts an array of community users, many of The Bikery’s regulars are well known, and Samara and her team know exactly what fare they prefer. From experience, she also understands those with digestive challenges. Most of the food is gluten-free and while she’s happy to cater for schoolkids’ penchant for hot chips, their offerings are principally health-giving and delightful.

The café also caters for the many functions at the Avantidrome, and is the preferred drop-in spot for those taking part in, or watching, the increasing

number of events staged there.

One of the largest of those they have catered for was the World Masters Games 2017, which saw some 28,000 athletes compete across 48 venues in Auckland and Cambridge during April. Many of those competitors and supporters flooded through The Bikery over just a few days. The 10-strong team, headed by Samara and head chef Alex Gullery, were prepped well ahead of time. They’re used to doing shifts to accommodate an operation that runs seven days a week, but big events are becoming more commonplace – so when the crowds arrive, the team is always ready.

“We enjoy the challenge of being in such a varied environment,” Samara

says. “That means anything from providing for our regular customers, as well as for the huge influx of people here during events, catering for corporate breakfasts, lunches and dinners up to several hundred people.”

PHOTOS: Previous page: Samara Thomas and head chef Alex Gullery are kept on their toes.

Top left: A wide range of healthy cabinet food and menu options is on offer seven days a week.

Top middle: An old bike parked outside welcomes customers to The Bikery.

Top right: Relaxed customers enjoy the sunny outside space.

efiL llA sI tuobA ecnalaB

Kumara And Ginger Waffles INGREDIENTS 2 cups gluten free flour 2/3 cup ground buckwheat (buckwheat groats processed to flour in nutribullet) 8 teaspoons GF baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons sugar ½ teaspoon ground cloves 2 level teaspoons ground ginger 4 eggs, separated 1 cup melted butter 2 ½ cups of jersey girl organic milk 2 cups kumara puree Two pinches fresh ginger, grated Top with your favourites, we like feijoa curd and raglan coconut yoghurt (pictured) or toffee sauce, fresh banana + toasted pecans.

METHOD For the kumara puree, bake orange kumara whole in the oven until cooked right through, remove the skin and mash until smooth. Mix in a pinch of salt to bring out the flavour.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together dry ingredients.

Separate the eggs. Mix the yolks with the kumara puree and a cup of the milk.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until stiff.

Add the kumara mix to the dry ingredients and fold through. If the mix is too thick, add more milk. Do this now to avoid beating the air out of the whites. It should resemble a thick pancake batter. Add 2 tablespoons of the egg whites and gently fold though. When mixed in, add the remaining egg whites, gently folding.

Pour about half a cup into your hot waffle iron, sprinkle some fresh ginger on top and when crispy, enjoy!

13

café

Find Your Balance!

Come and check us out!

Fresh, seasonal food, sourced locally and made on site by our fabulous team daily.

We have something for everyone; Sweet treats Raw slices Freshly made fruit or protien smoothies Breakfast and Lunch daily from 7.30am weekdays + 8.30am weekends.

Gluten free, diary free + raw options available.

Oh, and the best scones

Pop on in or give us a call on 07 282 0605 Closes daily Mon/Weekends 3.30pm Tues- Fri 4.30pm.

Located at the Avantidrome, Abundance of Parking. 5 mins from Cambridge township.

Follow us on instagram @thebikerycafe

For a more detailed menu selection visit our website wwwthebikerycafe.co.nz

14 Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

“This is about making sure they have an enjoyable experience. It is not always about winning, but if they enjoy the experience, the winning will come.”

Youth programmes secure cycling’s future

THE AVANTIDROME’S YOUTH AND SCHOOL SESSIONS HAVE PROVED TO BE SOMETHING OF A GIFT TO NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL STUDENTS AND OTHER YOUNG RIDERS. Coaching sessions are held across several weeknights, but it is on Friday evenings that the place hums as close on 90 youngsters vie for a top spot in the weekly Schools Racing session.

Steering the youth programmes are John McDonnell, Cath Cheatley and Bryan Simmonds. All three have considerable cycling credentials and share enormous enthusiasm for their task of introducing the sport to a new generation of riders … some of whom have their own dreams of stardom, and others who simply enjoy a few hours of cracking good fun.

John, Cath and Bryan do it all on a voluntary basis; the Home of Cycling Charitable Trust says it simply couldn’t run the programmes without their willingness to give their time for the kids.

Cath is a retired New Zealand professional road and track cyclist who represented the country in the 2008 Olympics; she also has several other championships under her belt.

Bryan has extensive experience at the elite level of sport management and has held team management positions internationally.

Steering the programme is John McDonnell, deputy principal at Cambridge High School and the 2015 recipient of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cycling. He is an Avantidrome Board member, has held numerous roles at Cycling New Zealand, been a member of the Home of Cycling since 2011 and has extensive experience in officiating international UCI events.

It was John who was partlyinstrumental in starting Friday night racing for schoolkids, primarily to encourage an early interest in the sport he had himself enjoyed since childhood.

“When the Avantidrome opened, we wanted to make sure the experience we offered the community would not be so unaffordable that we might have to turn people away. With that in mind, we started out with these $5 sessions for youngsters to join the Friday night schools’ racing – and that cost has remained the same to registered riders for the past four years.”

For their $5, the youngsters are put through their paces by some of the best in the business and enjoy an opportunity to pit their skills against

those of their mates.

“What I find so satisfying is that they all get two or three races in during that two hours, then they all leave with a big smile on their face. Just being in the velodrome environment has its own set of benefits. The kids all learn the terminology, they pick up the rules and etiquette around track cycling, they learn about points races, and eliminations races … the entire process is something they can’t really get elsewhere.”

Affiliated to Cycling New Zealand is an organisation called Cycling New Zealand Schools, one which represents the interests of schools cycling. Both organisations focus on maximising the growth in participation of competitive cycling in schools and use their

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Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

combined expertise and resources to achieve that.

The Avantidrome’s schools programme has become an active part of that, with local and regional schools now in regular attendance at the various sessions. Cycling New Zealand development coaches keep a watchful eye over the young riders, ready to identify talent as soon as it emerges.

Another benefit comes from the skills learned by many of those accompanying the riders attending coaching or racing sessions. Many parents, friends and other supporters learn time-keeping, how to hold a bike correctly and how to use lapboards, which provides a core group of skilled volunteers when they’re needed for

From day one Sport Waikato always believed and advocated for the vision of the Avantidrome being part of the Waikato landscape. The consolidation of building on the already impressive high performance base alongside the complimentary sport of rowing was an important factor together with the outstanding location.

currently in place. the bigger events.

“We have developed the With the base of both riders and programme to ensure it grows in volunteers having grown substantially such a way that it is sustainable. As over the past four years, the I see it, we have the capacity to Avantidrome has become well-placed give the youngsters the skills, but it to hold events such as the recent North is about much more than that. This Island School Track Championships. is about making sure they have an Organised by Cycling New Zealand enjoyable experience. It is not always in partnership with Cambridge High about winning, but if they enjoy the School, that event attracted 200 riders experience, the winning will come.” from across the North Island, and is Cambridge Newsto | 124WWhen x 171H Cath Cheatley asks her seen as contributing substantially charges what it is about race nights the growth of school-aged riders. that keeps them coming back, she’s Earlier in the year, the facility flooded with replies. hosted the National Age Group “Once the race starts nothing Championships. outside the track matters anymore, it’s The success of local schools at just you and the other riders attacking, events such as these is seen by John sprinting and winning,” said one. and his team as clear validation for “Also, the thrill of using and racing the youth and schools programme

on the same velodrome that world champions use, and sometimes racing them!”

PHOTOS: Previous page: Some of the many youth riders wait at the top of the track before heading into a few circuits.

Top left: John McDonnell and Cath Cheatley preparing to start one of the popular Friday night school races.

Top right: The Avantidrome was a hive of activity when around 200 riders took part in the recent North Island School Track Championships.

However most importantly from our perspective, it was all about our belief that this facility was always going to be more than just a high performance sporting facility and that all forms of the community could have access.

We are thrilled that these key objectives have come to fruition.

Matthew Cooper, CEO Sport Waikato

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16 Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

The award-winning Avantidrome presented some novel challenges for its builders, yet ended up attracting a raft of national and international accolades.

Building

a world class facility THE COMPLEXITIES AROUND CONSTRUCTION OF THE $30 MILLION AVANTIDROME MADE IT A LANDMARK PROJECT FOR LIVINGSTONE BUILDING NZ LTD, YET THE COMPANY SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING THE STATE-OF-THE-ART SPORTING FACILITY IN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND $1.5 MILLION UNDER THE ORIGINAL BUDGET. Livingstone’s remarkable achievement was attributed to the company’s innovative approach, its adherence to the project strategy and consideration for the building’s detailed design.

When Sport & Recreation NZ (SPARC) said in 2010 it was requesting a proposal process for the development of a National Cycling Centre of Excellence, it was with the dual intent of nurturing and expanding high performance cycling outcomes, and increasing community participation in cycling.

That brief meant that plans to build a world class velodrome to answer the first of those requirements had to dovetail with the vision of community

and recreational use – an unusual arrangement for high performance facilities anywhere in the world.

As the main contractor and project manager, Livingstone’s challenge was to construct a facility that not only met the exacting needs of world class athletes, but would also offer community use and provide a range of administrative, retail and commercial options. The facility’s ‘mixed-use’ nature called on the Livingstone team to work closely with government agencies, local bodies, funders and other user groups for around 18 months before the project even started, all the while ensuring the building would be aesthetically and environmentally sensitive to its

surroundings.

As clients, The Home of Cycling Charitable Trust employed three independent structural engineers, and Hamilton-based Chibnall Buckell Marovic Team Architects were brought on board as project architects.

Construction started in June 2012 and took 21 months.

Avantidrome project manager for Livingstone Building NZ Neville Davy, said more than 30 staff and 80 contractors had been involved.

Two main design components were developed – the administration building and the arena – both of which co-exist as separate structures but can work either independently or together as

required.

Numerous challenges had to be overcome, with the structural design itself presenting one of the biggest. It had been decided that the arena’s overall shape would trace that of the track – something previously unexplored with velodromes worldwide.

The building is 120m long by 77m wide, with its highest point equivalent to a six-storey building.

Because the design was intended to give uninterrupted views of the 3000 square metre infield space, there are no internal supporting columns.

Instead, a series of ten degree-angled perimeter frames support the six-metre high, curved steel space frames – all

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Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

suspended 20m above the track.

Support for the main structure had to come from the exterior circumference.

The toroid roof shape curves in all four directions, giving an overall roof area greater than that of Waikato Stadium’s playing surface. Not being a true oval meant the roof area had to be coordinated in 500mm intervals.

Said Neville Davy: “That in itself was very challenging. The roof area is 9000 square metres. The mass of reinforcing and structural steel in the roof trusses came from parts of Asia and Taiwan, but the steel itself was fabricated in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga by Jensen Steel and then assembled on site.”

The track itself presented another challenge and a special team was put together to ensure the critical set-out went smoothly.

Unlike other sports stadia, velodrome tracks are not symmetrical. The Avantidrome’s Siberian spruce track, designed and built in Germany by Ralph Schuermann of Schurmann Architects, was shipped over in fivemetre sections. Mr Schuermann, who was also responsible for the Invercargill velodrome design, provided Livingstone with 6000 co-ordinate points to ensure accurate positioning of the track and seating, then travelled to New Zealand with his team of 13 to install the track over seven weeks, aided by 13 local contractors.

Construction workers and sub-

contractors drew high praise from the German track installers when they arrived. The Avantidrome was the first structure that was complete before a track installation had commenced, and installers described this project as having the most accurate set out they had ever worked with.

When the Avantidrome was finally completed on February 28, 2014, the 10,000 square metre facility incorporated a 250m world-class track, a clear span roof, three tunnels into the infields, 1525 permanent seats, and the capacity to introduce 2500 more for events. The administration block houses a gym, offices, storage, a medical centre, treatment and consultation rooms, recovery room, spa and sauna facilities, a café and retail space.

Because the build came in ahead of schedule, Cycling New Zealand athletes could train on the newly-installed track from December 2013 – a decision that helped them win five medals.

It also endorsed the new track and facility – proving beyond doubt that Livingstone and the extended design team had achieved what the Home of Cycling Trust had set out to do.

Livingstone’s director Mike Livingstone said at the time: “This is a landmark project. It’s going to do a lot for the community, and we are excited to have been a part of it.”

The Avantidrome went on to win a Property Council of New Zealand ‘We Are Waikato’ Award. It took gold in the

New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, and won the National Category Award and the Overall Special Award.

The building also took a New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) award, and won the Property Council Rider Bucknell Award (Excellence in Category).

PHOTOS: Previous page: The Livingstone team outside the then newly-completed Avantidrome.

Right top: The Livingstone team working on the infield of the Avantidrome.

Right bottom: Work being done on the complex structure set to support the sweeping velodrome track.

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18 Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

There can’t be too many places where you can hold your function in a space shared by some of our elite athletes?

Functions venue like no other

GROWTH ACROSS ALL AREAS OF AVANTIDROME OPERATIONS HAS ALSO BEEN NOTICED IN THE INCREASED USE OF ITS MULTIPLE FUNCTION SPACES. The surprising variation in quality space available for hire at the Avantidrome has seen the facility host a raft of different types of functions.

These have included corporate conferences and workshops, Christmas parties, a wedding, awards dinners, a recent spa pool expo, family celebrations, orchestral performances, sit-down dinners and stand-up cocktail soirees.

All are made possible through a flexible arrangement of public function spaces which can accommodate anything from a seated event for up to 500 people, to more intimate workshops and meetings. Making Avantidrome events even more exclusive is the fact that they present an opportunity for visitors to see world record holders or Olympian athletes in action on the velodrome track – it’s a unique add-on unlikely to be experienced anywhere else.

Bringing it all together is Avantidrome functions co-ordinator Pip Sutton, whose own cycling success makes her a particularly good fit for the role. She has helped drive the significant growth in hireage of the facility’s meeting room and function spaces over the past year.

“The Avantidrome itself is a significant attraction, but the fact that Cambridge is so central means we are seeing enquiries coming from all over the central region,” she said. “There are very few other places quite like it. It is also very competitively priced for a venue of this stature.”

The versatile infield space offers a

360-degree view of the velodrome track and is surrounded by spectator seating, which makes it a unique area in which to hold the larger functions, expos, awards events and dinners. Extensive lighting, an acoustically-favourable sound system, and wireless internet access all serve to make the space a viable option for a range of different corporate and private events.

Different again are the airconditioned Avanti lounges, all of which are fully kitted out with built-in projectors and screens and a quality sound system. The availability of an LCD television and access to wireless internet makes these areas an ideal venue for team-building sessions, seminars and meetings. Two of the adjacent lounges overlooking the infield can be opened up to create a larger single space if required, and offer an adjoining kitchenette for serving refreshments.

Catering functions is offered through the on-site Bikery Café, but those hiring out the spaces can arrange their own if preferred.

A range of corporate packages can be tailor-made to suit requirements, and can include a guided tour of the facility, one that could include an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at New Zealand’s high performance sports set up.

Pip said those booking space could also link in with the Avantidrome’s popular Have-a-Go sessions should they want to experience the track for themselves with the assistance of one of the facility’s qualified coaches.

PHOTOS: Top: The Avantidrome infield proved to be the perfect venue for the 2015 Waikato University Blues Awards.

Above: Avantidrome functions co-ordinator Pip Sutton overlooking infield activities as another expo sets up in the space.

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Business profile – July 2017

Avantidrome

19

The Avantidrome has hosted some impressive events over the past three years - and there are plenty more in the pipeline.

Cycling events to match every need

WITH CYCLING AT THE HEART OF ALL AVANTIDROME OPERATIONS, IT IS THE FACILITY’S MIXED SUITE OF EVENTS THAT KEEPS VISITORS COMING FROM NEAR AND FAR. The range of events held since the Avantidrome opened in 2014 has been impressive, with several attracting thousands of fans.

The facility is a world-class UCI Category 1 velodrome, which means many events have centred around high performance competition for national and international riders.

The first major event, the four-day UCI World Cup, was held at the Avantidrome in December 2015 and attracted more than 200 riders from 40 countries.

This year has already seen some major fixtures draw in the crowds, among them the well-attended World Masters Games.

According to Avantidrome

programme and events manager Mark Lucas, more is to come, geared to both elite and recreational riders.

“The Oceania Track Championships has added importance this year for both New Zealand’s elite riders and development squads,” said Mark. “For the elite riders, there are important UCI points available which go towards qualifying for World Champs and Olympics, but also with the Commonwealth Games next year it is the first opportunity to show the selectors they are good enough to compete at that level.”

Soon to start is a new racing series which will run on a monthly basis through to November, and also coming up – this time for the business

sector - is the popular BNZ Corporate Challenge, which provides a unique opportunity for work colleagues to test their mettle against one another on the track.

The challenge has been enormously successful over the past couple of years it has been held at the Avantidrome, attracting both seasoned riders and those who have never stepped inside the facility.

On offer to new riders this year is the 1km Italian Pursuit category, while experienced riders will be channelled into the 1.5km Cambridge Pursuit category.

Ongoing meets will continue to bring the Te Awamutu Cycling Club riders to the Avantidrome every Wednesday

night, while the Morrinsville Wheelers are in attendance every second Saturday. Other groups coming to Cambridge for regular gatherings include the Pavement Panthers and the Matamata Pedlars, and of course, there is Friday night racing for the schoolkids during term time.

November will see the next big event at the Avantidrome – the Oceania Games, and in 2018/19 hopes are high to stage both national championships at the facility and to bring another World Cup to town, as well as the elite age group nationals.

PHOTO: Keeping the crowds coming are a legion of local, national and international programmes and events.

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20 Avantidrome

Business profile – July 2017

Keith & Faith and the Taylor Family