Cardiff’s plans for the International Sports Village have changed, scrapping the velodrome for a new golf center and other developments.

Cardiff: Big changes are happening at the International Sports Village. The original plan for a velodrome is off the table. Instead, they’re looking to put in a new golf center at the old Toys R Us site. It’s a bit of a bummer for cycling fans, especially for the Maindy Flyers, who were hoping for a new home.
Along with the golf center, there’s talk of a new boardwalk along the waterfront. Long-term plans even include a promenade. Last year, Cardiff council’s developer Orion submitted several planning applications. They’re eyeing over 1,000 new homes in the area, which is pretty ambitious.
Back in 2021, Maindy Flyers had to leave their spot near Cathays to make way for a new high school. They were pushed to move to the sports village, but they found it didn’t really fit their needs. Now, it looks like they can stay put since a new site for the school has been found.
The council’s report says they’ve found a better location for the high school, which means Maindy Flyers can keep their base. That’s a relief for them! There’s another report coming up that will focus on the education side of things.
As for the golf center, Cardiff council is calling it a “major new golfing leisure attraction.” It’ll have high-tech golf games, food and drink options, and even music. They’re looking to strike a deal with Topgolf for this project, which sounds exciting.
However, the council is aware that more cars will be coming into the area. They’re not able to build a multi-storey car park just yet, but they’ve got a temporary plan for parking using some undeveloped land nearby. They’re aiming for over 1,000 parking spaces, which should help a lot.
Russell Goodway, the cabinet member for investment and development, mentioned that boosting the local economy and creating jobs is a big part of their vision. They want Cardiff Bay to be a top UK destination, and it seems like they’re making progress on that front.
There’s also a chance for the council to negotiate for land occupied by Companies House in Cathays. If that works out, they could expand the school there instead of at Maindy Park, which would be a win-win.
A council spokesperson said they understand the disappointment about the velodrome. But they’re focused on getting a new, modern school for Cathays High students. The current school is doing well, but it needs an upgrade to meet today’s standards.
In the end, it’s all about making sure the new school can meet the needs of the community, including expanding resources for students with autism. So, while the velodrome is a no-go, there are still some exciting developments on the horizon for Cardiff.