The Mattamy National Cycling Centre, also known as the Velodrome, has sparked debate once again during discussions surrounding Milton’s 2025 municipal budget. Opened in 2015 for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, the $56-million facility was transferred to the Town of Milton post-games.
While it’s been hailed as a local landmark, critics have dubbed it a “white elephant” due to its costs. From 2015 to 2024, operating expenses for the Velodrome have totaled $11.4 million, with $2.2 million coming from Milton property taxes and the remaining $9.2 million funded by the federal government through the Toronto Foundation 2015 Sport Legacy Fund.
Looking ahead, the 2025 capital budget allocates $1.6 million for cycling track improvements, adding to concerns raised by Ward 2 Councillor Rick Malboeuf, a long-time critic of the facility.
“My concern is that once the legacy funding runs out, Milton taxpayers will bear the full operating deficit of this cycling centre,” said Malboeuf. He also questioned the potential impact of Edmonton’s upcoming velodrome on Milton’s revenues and usage.
Supporters Highlight Community Benefits
Despite the financial concerns, many residents and officials defend the Velodrome, emphasizing its unique role in both local recreation and high-performance sports. It is Canada’s only indoor cycling facility and home to Cycling Canada. The centre also serves as a multi-use recreation hub, featuring a gymnasium, fitness centre, and a walking/running track, with over 300,000 visitors annually.
Ward 4 Councillor Sarah Marshall advocated for viewing the Velodrome beyond its monetary costs.
“Generally, our community centres are not profit centres. The idea is to provide access and opportunity for recreation at an affordable price,” said Marshall. She highlighted the facility’s importance for placemaking, community gathering, and meeting the rising demand for recreational space in Milton.
Community Use and Future Development
Residents like Saria Smith appreciate the Velodrome’s amenities, including the walking and running track, and consider it a valuable community resource.
“You see older people here, social workers with their clients—all winter long. I realize it’s been expensive, but this is exactly the kind of thing I pay taxes for,” said Smith.
Supporters also note the federal government’s continued funding of approximately $700,000 annually offsets much of the operational cost, making the facility a strong value for its scale. Additionally, the Velodrome is part of a larger development plan that includes a retirement community, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College nearby.
Calls for Financial Sustainability
Councillor Malboeuf and other critics have argued for a push toward self-sufficiency for the Velodrome and other recreation facilities through increased user fees, private sponsorships, or even selling off some facilities.
“These facilities should be moving toward self-sufficiency. How is it that private fitness centres are profitable, but our public ones lose money?” asked Malboeuf.
As Milton grapples with rising demands for recreational space and the pressures of financial sustainability, the debate over the Velodrome’s value to the community is likely to continue.
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