Multi-million pound plan to relocate Birmingham's historic ‘speed skate track’ amid massive Sports Quarter scheme

Birmingham Wheels, which hosted go-karting, stock car racing and skating events over decades, closed back in 2021 amid the land being touted for development.

The site was later bought from the council by Birmingham City Football Club, which plans to build a ‘modern-day, globally-recognised’ stadium and Sports Quarter in the area.

The council is now proposing to re-allocate part of the Levelling Up Fund from the government to support moving the speed skate track to a location at Farnborough Playing Fields in Castle Vale.

According to a recent council report, around £2.6 million in funding would be directed towards the project.

“The funding, if approved, will be used to cover a range of costs associated with this project,” it said.

These include a feasibility study, planning application, construction cost and contingency.

But the report also acknowledged two key risks, including obtaining planning permission from the council and having ‘insufficient budget’ to deliver the proposal.

It continued: “To date engagement and consultation about the proposal has been undertaken with Sports England, the Federation of Inline Speed Skating and the Pioneer Group, a community-based housing association managing the social housing on the Castle Vale estate and the Castle Vale Football stadium.

“The proposals for this site have also been shared with the local ward councillor.”

Cabinet members at the council have been recommended to approve the allocation of funding towards the relocation project ahead of a meeting on Tuesday, March 17.

This will be subject to approval of a separate full business case report.

Writing on its website, the Birmingham Wheels Roller Speed Club says it has been ’embracing new training venues’ since losing its home.

“Despite this challenge the club continues to be successful at every level and is working hard to secure a new home for its current and future members to enjoy,” it said.

Sports Quarter plans

The former Birmingham Wheels site and the surrounding area could be completely transformed in the coming years, with Blues chairman Tom Wagner saying last November that around £750m could roll into the Sports Quarter each year.

At the stadium design reveal event, he was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service about when the wider benefits of the project, such as housing and the arena, could be realised.

“As quickly as possible,” he said during a press conference. “A lot of those benefits are in the process of being put together today.”

He went on to say that it was “important to get the stadium launched and brought to the world” so momentum could be built around other elements of the Quarter.

“Many [parts of the project] are very far along,” he continued. “We’re being thoughtful about how we sequence the construction.”

He added however that “more than just the stadium” will have been built in five years’ time if he had his way.

On the stadium itself, Mr Wagner said: “There will be a modern-day, accessible colosseum [at the heart of the Sports Quarter].

“A sporting venue that will stand tallest in the city, visible for many miles around.

“It will be a beacon of excellence for Birmingham on the global stage – attracting the very best sporting and entertainment events.”

But as well as attracting “experience-seekers from across the globe”, Wagner also stressed that the stadium would benefit the local community and be usable 365 days a year – not just on match days.

The club previously said that the wider precinct has been designed as a year-round destination – with markets, cafés, restaurants, play areas and social spaces for all.