On Thursday, MPs unanimously approved the construction of a velodrome in Mondorf-les-Bains, the home town of two Luxembourgish cycling icons, the Schleck brothers.
Thursday's vote now clears the path for the long-awaited velodrome in Mondorf-les-Bains, a project that has been in the works for several decades and spanned the tenure of three sports ministers.
MP Mars Di Bartolomeo from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), the rapporteur for the bill, expressed relief that the velodrome will finally be built.
However, he lamented a missed opportunity, pointing out that "the Kockelarena project, comprising a major sports centre with a national football pitch, national athletics stadium, and velodrome, has never been built."
Apart from the Kockelarena project, an alternative site for the velodrome had been found in Cessange. However, the escalating costs led to its abandonment, with estimates reaching approximately €15 million in 2009.
The project approved on Thursday carries an estimated price tag of €54.5 million.
In 2010, the then-Minister for Sport, Romain Schneider, called for a site to be found in Luxembourg for the velodrome. The only municipality to come forward was Mondorf-les-Bains. The spa town's current Mayor, Steve Reckel, is delighted that the velodrome is now about to become a reality.
'A different image on an international scale'
"It's something that our community has long been waiting for. For the past five years, we have dedicated ourselves to this project, which is now finally coming to fruition. Once the construction is complete, it will bring about significant changes for our community. Our image will transform, not only regionally, but also on an international scale," Mayor Reckel said.
Three sports ministers have overseen the velodrome project: Romain Schneider, Dan Kersch, and the current Minister, Georges Engel.
When asked when cycling enthusiasts would be able to complete the first laps of the 250-metre track, Minister Engel exercised caution in providing a specific answer. "It's always difficult to give a deadline. However, I would tentatively say that the velodrome might be built within the next four to five years," the Minister stated.
The groundbreaking ceremony, which marks the start of construction, is scheduled for autumn 2023.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish):
