Construction of North America's third indoor velodrome is now well underway, with an official opening set for April 30, this year.
As reported previously on Cyclingnews, the Forest City Velodrome is a unique initiative, in that funding for the project comes from individuals and businesses, rather than being publicly owned. The owner of Apollo Velodrome Systems, Albert Coulier, whose company is responsible for constructing the 142 metre track, told the London Free Press that sufficient financing (approximately US$100,000) was raised to build the velodrome and operate "for a number of months". After that date, user fees will make the velodrome self-sustaining, along with a new sponsor each week.
"If we can get just one rider to the Olympics, I can die happy," said the 86 year-old Coulier, whose firm has built more than 20 tracks. "It's not an Olympic-length track; because it's shorter, it's preferred for training because riders can learn tactics." The track will have a 16 degree banking on the straights and 50 degrees on the corners.
"This track will be as good as any Olympic velodrome," said Rob Good, the velodrome's chief operating officer, who spearheaded the Forest City Velodrome project by soliciting cash donors and corporate product sponsors.
520 chair-seats are being installed, but the velodrome will hold another 500 spectators on carpeted tier seating. Good predicts an April 23 opening "with riders coming from as far as Detroit, Atlanta and Montreal", with the official opening date set for April 30.
