September 13/11 16:32 pm - Hamilton Velodrome Update: Bauer, Harnett and Singleton Make Presentations to Hamilton Council

Posted by Editoress on 09/13/11
 

Canadian Cycling Legends Steve Bauer, Curt Harnett and Gord Singleton attended Hamilton City Council today to speak in favour of the investment in an international standard indoor velodrome to be built for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Gord Singleton spoke on how the sport of cycling has been revolutionize in the U.K. following the construction of the Manchester Velodrome.   He further noted the great success of the track cycling program at the Forest City Velodrome in London Ontario.

Curt Harnett spoke of his humble beginnings on the bike up in Thunder Bay and how he relocated to U.S. and Australian velodromes in order to be able to train and compete at the highest level.

Steve Bauer's presentation to Council revolved around his experiences on the National Team, competing for Canada on the road and the track and the importance having a velodrome to both community, youth development and high performance programs.

Rob Good of the Forest City Velodrome in London advised councillors that the velodrome in London has been very successful from a program perspective, with athletes winning over 350 medals at national championships and thousands of young people participating recreational and learn to race programs.

These programs, along with local Hamilton cycling programs will be "built in" programs, that will support the Hamilton velodrome.  This is a huge advantage, which will allow Hamilton to avoid having to start programs from scratch.

Mark Chamberlain, President and CEO of Trivaris, spoke directly to the need for the cycling community and supporters of the sport of cycling to step up and participate in a major fundraising effort to support the cost of building and maintaining the facility.  Chamberlain will take the lead in putting together a fundraising "cabinet" to seek local and national contributions to bring necessary outside funds to help reduce the funding gap for a future velodrome.

The ball is squarely in the court of the Canadian cycling community to support this enormous opportunity.

Submitted by Andrew A. Iler