May 25/00 6:57 am - Burnaby Velodrome Closing, Laval Midweek Results

Posted by Editor on 05/25/00
 

Burnaby Velodrome To Close
(courtesy Jeremy Storie)

Wednesday May 31 will mark to closing of the Burnaby ( Vancouver ) Velodrome at the Harry Jerome Sports Centre on the Barnett Hwy near the junction of Hastings and Barnett. The velodrome is the only indoor cycling track in North and South America. The Burnaby Velodrome Club ( BVC ) was unable to make the operation financially viable and were tenants of the BC Volleyball Association (BCVA) (who also occupy the inflatable dome structure) and the city of Burnaby. The velodrome was constructed largely by volunteers and became fully operational 3 years ago. Membership topped out at about 100 and peak times for use of the track were during the inclement winter. The velodrome has also hosted a few local competitions, some junior development camps, and a few National Team Olympic preparation camps. The National Team was hoping to use the facility as part of their regular winter training program. The BCVA has also had a difficult time making the facility a financially viable venture and there have been several problems with the structure, most notably the roof collapsing twice, due to incorrect maintenance of the inflatable dome. The final two track times available to BVC members or drop in riders will be on Monday May 29 from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday May 31 from 4 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. There is a call out to get as many members as possible to come out and train on these last two occasions. The plans for the facility are unclear but it is believed that the building and site will go up for sale within a few moths following the closure of the track. Volleyball will remain for an undetermined time after the end of May. Plans are under way for a media blitz with at least one TV crew already committed to come out to raise awareness for the velodrome.


Laval Midweek
(courtesy Michel Bourgault)