Outdoor velodrome and a rowing tank among new initiatives announced in 2021 Budget speech

The government has pledged to continue investing in new sports infrastructure as during Monday’s Budget speech it was announced two innovative projects for the Maltese sporting fraternity, namely a rowing tank and an outdoor velodrome.

In his speech, Clyde Caruana, the Minister of Finance, announced that SportMalta will continue to embark on new infrastructure projects and announced that a rowing tank facility will be built.

For those who are not familiar with this facility, the rowing tank is an indoor which attempts to attempt the conditions rowers face on open water.

Such facility will not only help rowers who prepare themselves for the traditional regattas, organised on March 31 and September 8, but also opens the door for Maltese rowers to delve themselves into the rowing discipline that is organised internationally, particularly in the Olympic Games.

On the other hand, it was also announced that an Outdoor Velodrome will be built as part of the Ta’ Qali Park project.

An outdoor velodrome will provide cycling enthusiasts the possibility of practice their favourite sport in a safe environment, away from the perils of being involved in traffic accidents on Maltese roads.

Added to that, SportMalta will continue its works on an Olympic-sized pool at the Cottonera Sports Complex, as well as waterpolo pitches in Marsascala, Valletta and Marsaxlokk.

A new football stadium is set to be built for Msida St Joseph FC.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the Marsa Sports Complex will be enhanced with new facilities, particularly a revamped horse racing track that will be able to host other equestrian activities.

Added to that, the Marsa Sports Complex will also be extended to have a new gymnastics centre where young gymnasts will be able to train in adequate and safe facilities.

In Gozo, the construction of the Aquatic Centre in Victoria which will include an Olympic-size pool as well as a sports pavilion that can host a number of sports disciplines.

The budget speech also included the Motor racing track project, that was announced a few weeks ago that will cost around €20 million.