If anyone thinks this should be forwarded to anyone who might be interested, feel free. I'm sure there are fixed gear lists- once upon a time people like us actually rode them on the boards. I might have to consider moving. One of my favorite road rides is in Albuquerque. I get vanned up to Sandia Peak and cruise down awheel. Larry Black Mt Airy, Md.
Albuquerque residents recently voted to use $1.96 million of city money to build a cycling park that will include a reconstructed velodrome first built in Canada for the Winnipeg Pan-Am Games.
The park will also house a BMX park, restrooms, concession stand and bleachers. The city-approved plans also call for a weight room, restaurant, office space, locker rooms with showers and storage space.
The $1.96 million bond was included in a $32.5 million Parks and Recreation bond.
"We have been working to convince the city's government that the cycling park will be able to sustain itself financially. We have partnered with Duke City BMX and their parent organization, the ABA, to obtain financial backing," said Nick Hoffman, spokesman for the Southwest Velodrome Association, which has been working to reconstruct the Winnipeg track in Albuquerque for years.
"The ABA guaranteed the facility will never have to ask the city for money and the city accepted the proposed agreement," Hoffman said. "The ABA also stated they do not want to participate in the day-to-day operations of the facility."
The park will have seating for 1,000. It will likely be open in a year.
"The next items on our agenda include finding tenants for the building and raising money to build roofs over both tracks. We have had positive conversations with some local gyms and restaurants about partnering with us," Hoffman said, adding that state money might also be used.
In other velodrome news, the first indoor domestic track to be built in nearly a century is nearly complete in Dominguez Hills, California. And other the other side of the country, the Dick Lane Velodrome in East Point, Georgia closed Sept. 6 after 29 years of racing. Dick Lane's managers are currently trying to raise $20,000 for temporary fixes so the track could reopen. Another $100,000 to $150,000 will be needed over the next two years to properly repair the weathered facility, managers estimate.
There are 18 operational velodromes in the United States.