FACTFILE: All you need to know about the Derby Arena ahead of opening

The building is cladded in gold silver and bronze Credit: ITV News Central

The Derby Arena opens its doors for the first time at a special event this evening, with cycling stars joining 1,500 locals to see the fully-completed facility for the first time.

Here's all you need to know about the huge new £28million centre on Pride Park:

Timeline:

  • January 2012 - Planning application submitted

  • July 1012 - Approval given to start work

  • November 2012 - Appointed contractors Bowmer and Kirkland start work on site

  • April 2013 - steel frame completed

  • October 2013 - Cycling coach Sir David Brailsford visits the Arena

  • April 2014 - Olympic-themed exterior cladding completed

  • June 2014 - Siberian pine cycle track installed

  • November 2014 - State-of-the-art gym installed

  • March 2015 - Derby Arena opens

The arena has fixed seating for 1,500 people Credit: ITV News Central

Construction:

  • The building's footprint is 156,000 square feet

  • The structure used 1,7000 tonnes of steel - the same as 200 London buses

  • If laid end-to-end, the steel would stretch the distance of a marathon

  • Planks of wood for the track came from the Russian pine forests of Siberia

  • If laid end-to-end, all the wood for the cycle track would reach from Derby to Leicester

  • 265,000 nails were hammered into the 250metre track during the six weeks it took to build

  • The is no finish on the wooden track, other than coloured pained racing lines

  • The geometry of the track was designed by specialists in Germany

This timelapse video shows the construction of the velodrome:

The track:

  • The velodrome is one of only five in the UK

  • Cyclists will be able to record and download their times thanks to sophisticated timing equipment underneath the track

  • Top riders can reach 45mph on it

  • 42 degrees is the steepest part of the track, which is the inspiration for the cafe name

  • Track bikes are provided to hire by the hour, or you can store you own if you are a regular rider

  • In order to ride on the track, you have to be accredited. To begin getting accredited, you will have to book onto an introduction session

  • A number of Derny (motorised) bicycles will also be available for hire

  • The track infield, which is the size 12 badminton courts, will host a number of other sports such as badminton, basketball, netball, wheelchair basketball, volleyball, martial arts, tables tennis and trampolining

Top cyclists can hit 45mph on the track Credit: ITV News Central

The gym:

  • It is state-of-the-art, with 150 stations, and indoor cycling studio and group exercise programmes

  • Has the most advanced cardio consoles on the market

  • Cycling studio kitted out with Watt bikes

The velodrome is one of only five in the country Credit: ITV News Central

Events:

  • There is an audience capacity of 5,000 for cultural events

  • 1,500 fixed spectator seats, and the infield can be used flexibly to seat 2,000 or allow standing space for 3,500 people

  • Confirmed 2015 events include the pantomime 'Aladin' and the Derby Comedy Festival

  • Hospitality areas all have WiFi

  • Car park capacity of 1,100 cars and 8 coaches