New artwork celebrating UCI legacy to land in Lang Park

Last year, Wollongong welcomed the world to the city by hosting the 2022 UCI Road World Championships, an international event that saw 670 elite athletes from 73 nations competing on our streets.

To mark this event, Wollongong City Council is preparing to install and unveil a new public artwork, designed by award-winning artist Jane Cavanough. The new artwork will be installed along Marine Drive in Lang Park, opposite the Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club at City Beach.

Lang Park was the focus point of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships. The park served as the finish line and event village, where spectators could cheer athletes and enjoy community activities.

Image: The finish line at Lang Park drew thousands of spectators and was an exciting place to watch the race.

The new artwork will acknowledge the significance of Lang Park and will link to the existing bike path. The artworks will not interrupt views of the ocean and they complement existing infrastructure in Lang Park.

Council commissioned the artwork ahead of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships. Ms Cavanough attended the race in person and drew inspiration for the artwork from the community and athletes.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since the world turned its attention towards Wollongong for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships which saw the best international cyclists compete on our roads and some 164 million people across the world watched our city in all its beauty on their televisions and devices,” Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said.

“As a proud UCI Bike City, we are in the company of notable cities like Glasgow, Paris and Vancouver who also boast this prestigious honour.”

In the lead up to the 2022 event, the City of Wollongong was awarded the title UCI Bike City. The UCI Bike City status recognises our efforts to improve cycling and other active transport links across the city.

Image: The new artwork by Jane Cavanough will include three white poles with a UCI bike-themed artwork on top that reflects the identity of the area.*

“At the same time, we have a commitment to continue to support everyone’s right to walk, ride and play. We will continue to invest in active transport infrastructure in our city to continue to build on all the great work that has been done to date,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This new public artwork is just one way we plan to acknowledge our UCI Bike City status and mark the anniversary of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.”

Works to install the new artwork will start in August 2023. While the installation is underway, community members will still be able to visit Lang Park. A small area around the installation will be off-limits to ensure safety.

Council will share more details of other exciting opportunities to celebrate the anniversary of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships with the community soon.

For more information about the 2022 UCI Road World Championships.

* Images are artist digital impressions of the artworks. By Jane Canavough, 2023.