WORK could begin next year on building an Olympic-sized velodrome in York.

The University of York is currently in discussions with British Cycling over creating the top class facility at its York Sport Village, on the outskirts of the city near the A64.

The 250-metre outdoor velodrome is likely to cost about £1m and could be completed as soon as next year. It would be open to the public for training and cycling events.

A spokeswoman for the university said they are currently in talks with British Cycling and other bodies to identify funding. Any funding receiving from cycling’s national governing body are likely to be matched by the university.

She said: “The velodrome, which will be open to the public, will be the only one of its type in Yorkshire and will be used for training and cycling events.

“It will complement the existing 1,000-metre cycle track at York Sport Village and our aspiration is that the velodrome will be available in 2014.

“In the year the Tour de France comes to York, this has the potential to be a superb addition to the city’s sports facilities. The development underscores the University’s commitment to the health and well-being of the York community.”

The university says it is not yet in a position to say whether the velodrome would be ready in time for the arrival of the Grand Depart as plans were so far in their infancy.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme visited the University of York’s £10m sports village in August, as he made a trip to North Yorkshire to see race preparations around the county.

He was there to see the launch of a Grand Depart bike bank project, which aims to help inspire children to take up cycling by giving free access to cycles. The bike bank invites the public to donate unwanted bicycles, which will be serviced and made available to the community.

There are estimates that Yorkshire’s Grand Depart could be worth about £100m to North Yorkshire’s economy and about three million people could line the route during the two days of racing.