There are some interesting and hopefully positive changes afoot at Chicago's Olympic bid headquarters. Specifically, some cost-cutting measures were announced recently that entail the construction of a permanent indoor velodrome in Douglas Park, on the city's west side, instead of a more costly, but temporary, velodrome on Northerly Island. Details of the new plan are a little hard to come by, because the organizing committee have yet to make any changes to the plans listed on their web page, but articles in the Sun-Times and cyclingnews say that the Chicago organizers have had to slash millions off the budget, given the disastrous financial climate, and have decided to move the track cycling events to a cheaper location. I don't know why a permanent velodrome in Douglas Park is cheaper than a temporary velodrome on Northerly Island, but there it is. Apparently, after the Olympics, provided, of course, that Chicago wins the bid, the Douglas Park velodrome would be converted to a year-round multi-sport facility, hosting cycling, volleyball and indoor soccer. It would be only the second full-size indoor velodrome facility in the US, after the ADT Center in LA. So, let's hope that a) Chicago wins the bid and b) that the plan to build a permanent, indoor velodrome in Chicago actually happens.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Chicago's Olympic Velodrome Plans
There are some interesting and hopefully positive changes afoot at Chicago's Olympic bid headquarters. Specifically, some cost-cutting measures were announced recently that entail the construction of a permanent indoor velodrome in Douglas Park, on the city's west side, instead of a more costly, but temporary, velodrome on Northerly Island. Details of the new plan are a little hard to come by, because the organizing committee have yet to make any changes to the plans listed on their web page, but articles in the Sun-Times and cyclingnews say that the Chicago organizers have had to slash millions off the budget, given the disastrous financial climate, and have decided to move the track cycling events to a cheaper location. I don't know why a permanent velodrome in Douglas Park is cheaper than a temporary velodrome on Northerly Island, but there it is. Apparently, after the Olympics, provided, of course, that Chicago wins the bid, the Douglas Park velodrome would be converted to a year-round multi-sport facility, hosting cycling, volleyball and indoor soccer. It would be only the second full-size indoor velodrome facility in the US, after the ADT Center in LA. So, let's hope that a) Chicago wins the bid and b) that the plan to build a permanent, indoor velodrome in Chicago actually happens.
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19 comments:
it's cheaper because it's the westside...it's hood as hell in them parts. not sure how long the velodrome would last but it would be cool to see it up for a few years.
I wish this would happen in every major city.
I would like to think that something like this would last a long time, if infact it is built.
No one wants to be in the hood, especally the elitest individuals that are often found at the track with 8000 dollar bikes.
But you would be inside, more than likely behind a closed door or two. The happenings of the surrounding neighborhood shouldn't affect the goings on inside.
And hey mabey a few underprivalged kids will find a new outlet at the Drome.
RAmp Park enthusiaists have endured terrible neighborhoods for years at outdoor skateparks.
Good Luck City of Chicaqo
naw...i didn't mean anything bad. just sayin'...it's cheap because of the area it'll be in. as far as it sticking around? who knows...all im gonna say about that is that things on the westside don't last as long...just the way it is...peace.
i think there is potential for it to stick around since there is only 1 other site in the US that can host world champ events (i believe) and it could be seen as an economic boon to the area?
if it's going to be an olympic venue, it'll have to have a pretty substantial capacity for secure parking and other support facilities. i don't know any historical data on it (i know ATL was sort of a bust) but it could pump a lot of money and exposure into the area.
You all realize that ADT is in Carson right? It's gotten better but still ... it's not Santa Monica. Having a world class facility in a less desirable area is by no means a new concept.
I honestly don't see how an indoor velodrome is going to save any money. Especially in the long run. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see another world class indoor velodrome in the country and especially in Chicago, but costs to keep such a facility running are mind boggling. There is no way ADT is making any substantial amount of money, if they're making any at all. As for access for locals, I don't know about that either. Again at ADT, which I'm using as the comparison since it's the only similar velodrome, you have to pay $20 for open track time (which is limited) and you get only a few hours. Plus you have to be certified to ride the track, which means either being a higher category racer or taking a class, which is a good idea after hearing about all the juniors wiping out last year at Junior Nats.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
well...lets just all slow down and stop being pessimistic? im guilty of it also. i was just stating that the build in that area would be cheaper because of it's location...i apologize if it came out differently. that being said...this doesn't mean the velodrome would not be a huge success. after all the complaints of northbrook maybe a change of pace would do chicagoans some good. plus, many riders would prefer to not race up there anyway? even if the prices are high maybe it would be less money here in chicago because it's not san diego? there's room for many "if's" and "maybe's" when this happens...i for one do hope it does happen. why not give it a try...worse case scenario is we enjoy a velodrome for a couple of years?
In all reality, if there is an indoor permanent velodrome of the kind that is suitable for World Cup events, it is going to cost A LOT to run. I don't see how that's pessimistic, it's just realistic. To my knowledge, ADT lost money when it hosted the World Cup last year. I know there is a huge racing community here and I am absolutely sure that an indoor velodrome would get used if available, I'm just not sure how available a ADT-like velodrome would be, something more along the lines of Forest City/Boulder would probably have a better chance for success. But alas a velodrome like that is certainly not capable of hosting the Olympics.
o.val.i apologize...the only knowledge i have is what chicago has. i know that chicago brings people from all over the world without a velodrome. sh*t...even if you want to race in neighboring velodromes coming to chicago would make sense. i have no idea whatsoever on how much something like this would cost. what i do know is that it's exciting to see something like this...it may not make it to chicago but at least it's being talked about. not just here in the city but around the world. again...i apologize for confusing your realism with pessimism...peace.
Nah, you're right though and I'm probably being pessimistic. We're all haters after all, right? ;) It would be awesome to see something like this here. Chicago is full of people who believe in getting things done against all odds, and within the law, so who knows? Yeah, let's just be positive.
or against the law, whatever it takes!
ha! two words...mayor daley!
Who might be the best person for the Chicago cycling community to reach out to? I'd think that we could certainly make an impact if we voice our support for this change in plan - lord knows there's enough vocal cyclists in Chicago that would appreciate a track in the city!
of course you know that Tokyo is probably gonna get the bid anyway.
They should just build a dome over Major Taylor Velodrome in Indy.
:)
I'm pretty sure the Laoshan Velo from 2008 olympics is further from Bejing than Indy is from Chitown.
Sorry for the spelling
If they'd just legalize gambling on track racing ala Keirin, and/or sell beer in the infield, the costs would be no problem. Crowds of ordinary people would show up just to pass the time and gawk at crashes.
Otherwise, maybe enough racers would buy a "club membership" just to avoid the indoor trainer gerbil wheel.
Douglas Park is not the perfect place from a historical perspective for the Olympic Velodrome. Just about two miles north and about the same distance to the heart of Chicago is Humboldt Park. The reason that park would make sense is that there is the potential for a rich story to be told during the games. Humboldt Park was home to a velodrome, first built in 1928 as a cement track. In 1932 a very nice wooden track was built there and had many well attended and well supported races until it's demise sometime around 1946. A story like that makes a nice feel-good piece. I can see Bob Costas now narrating the story with some very pretty music and a bunch of old black and white photos. I'm almost crying now!
Next, I've had a conversation with USA Cycling about this track and shared with them some ideas that could help to address the long term viability of a full time indoor track. One is the operating cost. Indoor tracks are very costly to maintain due in part to the precise temperature and humidity control needed to keep the track in good condition. But here is an opportunity to build a track using new green methods to cut those cost dramatically. Designs that keep a large portion of the building below ground will make it less expensive to control the environment. Alternative energy could be used such as solar panels, small scale wind energy, and geothermal systems could be incorporated into the design. It could be a new model of how velodromes should be built and have a very low operating cost. This green building would only add to the story that Bob Costas could tell and it is the "In" thing right now.
Another concept is thinking broader with the use of the building. A multi-sport facility is a compromise. It is saying the track cycling is not important enough to have a facility dedicate just to that sport. It may mean compromises in the layout and design of the track to accommodate other uses. The reason for that thinking is to give the building more economic viability. There is another way to do that. I have suggested that the Olympic Velodrome could be home to a USA Cycling Hall of Fame and Museum. Currently there is no such building in the United States. There was at one time, but most of the displays of historic cycling equipment are now in storage. Bring it home to Chicago. Schwinn was after all a Chicago company. Chicago is know for it's museums and this could become another "must see" destination for tourists. If done right, it would be a living-breathing museum and hall of fame. Visitors could see and touch historical bikes. They could read and learn about the history of cycling, both competitive and the non-competitive. Top it off with a nice restaurant serving the kind of food that Tour de France riders would eat, and a nice gift shop. Then visitors could either seen an actual race happening on the wooden track, or perhaps even sign up for a short 15 minute training course and take a lap or two around the track. The income from the visitors to the museum might help pay for the operations of the building. Tourist will spend more there than could be generated from a multi-sport use. The Mayor of Chicago should like this idea. Another tourist draw. Another museum for the city. Another way for him to continue his efforts to make Chicago a model cycling city.
The 2016 Committee is where we need to concentrate our efforts. If there was enough excitement about this alternative concept there is certainly time to make it happen.
I live in Vancouver (winter 2010) and lived in Sydney (summer, obvs, 2000) and I can easily tell you that the Olympics suck.
Interesting fact though: http://blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2008/08/citius-altius-f.html
"At Sydney, the 70,000 condoms supplied, ran out and officials ordered an additional 20,000 more."
Like fucking rabbbits I tell ya.
Great post, Steve. I'm really excited about the possibilities of the plan. Let's try to get people behind it!
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