The completion of the National Indoor BMX centre will be celebrated at an event on Friday 21 October 2011 at 1pm.
The event will begin with an opening address from Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, followed by a question and answers session, with Brian Cookson, President of British Cycling, Charles Johnston, Sport England Property Director, Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Eddie Smith, Chief Executive New East Manchester.
There will then be a chance to see BMX riders show off their skills, with a dirt jump demonstration and the final of BMX Schools Launch showpiece - featuring Marcus Bloomfield, winner of the elite men's category at the BMX British Championships 2011.
The new £24m BMX centre, based at the National Cycling Centre, will host major BMX events attracting riders from all over the world. The country's top riders will also be training at the centre in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
However the centre is not just for elite riders - Manchester schoolkids will have access to the track and keen local cyclists will be able to attend discounted 'pay and ride' sessions in the evening and at the weekend.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure, said "The completion of the National BMX Centre is incredibly exciting. Some of the world's top BMXers will train here, and young people from East Manchester will get the opportunity to use the facilities and aim for the highest awards in BMX.
"There will obviously be a huge focus on sport next year, and I hope the Olympics will inspire Manchester residents to take advantage of the world-class facilities on their door step. It's no exaggeration to say that there's nothing like the National BMX centre anywhere else in the world."
Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the NWDA said: " The NWDA has been proud to work with a range of partners over the last 10 years to further develop Manchester 's Sportcity complex . The National Indoor BMX Centre is another major step in ensuring that Manchester and England's Northwest continue to be at the heart of sport in the UK - encouraging community participation, developing elite performance and hosting international major events. The development is also a perfect regional response to the London 2012 Games"
Sport England 's Chair, Richard Lewis, said: "I'm delighted to see the National Indoor BMX centre already giving more people of all ages and abilities the chance to take part in high-quality sporting activities. Our £3million National Lottery investment has helped deliver a truly iconic facility that demonstrates how we're transforming the places where people play sport. The centre joins an array of world-class facilities already in Manchester and is a sign of things to come as we deliver a lasting sporting legacy beyond London 2012; a legacy that reaches well beyond the capital."
Ian Drake, British Cycling CEO, said: "With less than one year to go to London 2012, this is a hugely exciting time for British sport and our cycling and para-cycling teams are now fully focused on the Games. We are very privileged to have access to this fantastic training facility at this crucial time and our thanks go to Manchester City Council, North West Development Agency and Sport England for making this venue happen.
"Next year's Olympics and Paralympics are not just about our elite athletes winning medals but about the benefit staging the Games in Britain will bring to local communities. I hope the people of Manchester will embrace the BMX arena as they have embraced the Velodrome and that it will serve them for generations to come."
The National BMX centre is based at the National Cycling Centre, East Manchester .
For more information please visit: www.nationalcyclingcentre.com