THE home of a Black Country cycling club that has nurtured the development of international riders is set to reopen this Sunday.

Halesowen’s Manor Abbey Stadium will return to the cycling calendar after six weeks of refurbishments to host the Dudley Grand Prix, the latest leg of British Cycling National Hard Track Endurance League.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Dudley, councillor Steve and Mrs Jayne Waltho, are to attend the opening of the venue, which is home to the award-winning, volunteer-run Halesowen Athletics and Cycling Club (HA&CC) since 1947.

Courtesy of £180,000 grant aid from Sport England with the help of the facilities team from national governing body British Cycling, the Stadium — which also affords accredited facilities for tennis, athletics and weight-lifting — has new safety fencing and floodlights on its cycling track and a repaired surface.

Last year’s work to renovate the changing rooms, means Manor Abbey now has an international standard outdoor velodrome, one of only 22 nationwide, with capacity to host any high-quality cycling meeting.

The club's life vice-president Martin Bridgwood said: “Our cycling section knew that we would eventually need to replace the perimeter safety fence which had been in place some 30 plus years.

"Thanks to our members' fundraising and the valuable assistance of British Cycling, we now have a 21st century venue at Manor Abbey enabling us to continue to attract new members of all ages and abilities."

Two of our cycling life members competed at London 2012 after joining Halesowen before they reached their teenage years and we are looking forward to finding the next Olympians from Dudley and the surrounding areas going forward.”

Three years ago, HACC was awarded the Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service.

in recognition of the provision at Manor Abbey Stadium of facilities for local communities.

and local people and the hard work and dedication of volunteers.

The Mayor of Dudley, cllr Steve Waltho, added: “We are immensely proud to have a venue of national regard within the borough.

"The fact that Manor Abbey can nurture cyclists like Jessica Varnish and Helen Scott to compete in the Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games, yet provide a venue for those of us who cycle purely for leisure and fitness is very much in line with our policy of providing access to sport for all.”