Date: Wednesday, 04 January 2012
Posted by: Cycling Southland

 

The name of Invercargill cycling identity Laurie Tall has been mentioned as a possible new moniker for the cycling velodrome, but the man himself won't have a bar of it.

He wants it renamed the Southland Velodrome, recognising the efforts of the many Southland people who ensured it was built, he said.

Mr Tall, who said the idea to build a covered cycling velodrome in the city had been his initially, was not keen on the velodrome being named after him.

"No, no, no. I am not that way inclined," the 85-year-old said.

"The committee will have their own ideas ... that Southland name seems to be quite popular."

A member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Mr Tall has won many awards for his efforts as a cycling administrator over the decades.

He has been a competitor, a highly regarded coach of national champions, a referee and selector, and also helped to get the velodrome up and running.

A comment by "Laura T" on the Southland Times website revealed that she may be a fan of Laurie Tall.

"We always thought ILT stood for Invercargill's Laurie Tall anyway."

Until last week, the velodrome was called the ILT Velodrome, named after major funder the Invercargill Licensing Trust.

But city benefactor Louis Crimp demanded the ILT be removed from its name before he gave $2 million towards the adjacent Stadium Southland rebuild.

Other new velodrome names suggested yesterday, all by R Walker, were Southland Leisure Centre Velodrome, Velodrome Activity Centre, Extreme Centre Velodrome, Cycling South Dome, Cycling Southern Velodrome, Southern Cycling Velodrome, Southern Velodrome Centre, Cyclist Memorial Centre and Invercargill Cycling Centre.

Jacob said he would be referring to the velodrome as The Velodrome, while another suggestion, from Wendy, was Invercargill's Multisport and Leisure Centre.

The latest name suggestions join a long list, with a decision by stadium trustees to be made in the new year.

If you have a name suggestion for the velodrome email [email protected].

Article coutesy of The Southland Times

 

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