Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Yahoo News Coverage

By Diane DiPiero, Associated Content

When it comes to plans for a new indoor cycling facility in Cleveland, no brakes are allowed.

Since announcing in January that it had entered a real estate purchase option agreement to build a 150,000-square-foot velodrome in Slavic Village, Fast Track Cycling has moved full speed ahead with acquiring funds for the project. Following an initial grant from the Civic Innovation Lab, Fast Track began a fundraising campaign that so far has brought in about $100,000 toward the $6.5 million that will be needed to build the facility.

The proposed facility would include a standard 250-meter wood cycling track, a 20,000-square-foot sport court and 75,000 square feet of turf field. In addition to drawing local cycling enthusiasts as well as international cycling races, the facility...

Click HERE to continue reading on Yahoo News

Friday, April 2, 2010

Yahoo News article on Cleveland Velodrome Plans

From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac_clevela/ac_clevela_ts1409

Plans in motion for Cleveland's velodrome

Thu Apr 1, 11:40 am ET
By Diane DiPiero

Can an indoor cycling facility put Cleveland on the map as a hub for indoor recreation, help end childhood obesity and assist with the renaissance of an urban neighborhood?

It sounds like a tall order, but a group of avid cyclists, along with the city of Cleveland and a local development group, are speeding along with plans to make it happen.

Fast Track Cycling, a nonprofit organization formed by local cycling enthusiasts, is behind efforts to build a velodrome—an arena for track cycling—in Cleveland's Slavic Village. The group has an agreement to buy a 9-acre lot at McBride and Broadway avenues from the city of Cleveland. The site was the former location of St. Michael Hospital, which closed in 2003.

Click here to read the rest of the story on Yahoo! News

Monday, February 1, 2010

Publicity on the Tube

We've been generating lots of buzz this past week... On Sunday, Channel 5 news aired this segment on the velodrome. The link to the video is beneath the picture at the top of the article. Thanks to all the news outlets and individuals spreading the message!

In other news, check out these related projects: the under-construction velodrome in Scotland and the efforts to build one in NYC!

The announcement of the first event at that Scottish velodrome has me thinking: wouldn't Cleveland's velodrome be such a great asset for our Gay Games in 2014?? Answer -- yes!!!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Velodrome plans announced!

Well, today was a huge day for Fast Track, and long time coming at that.

We sent out our press release this morning, and are already seeing great write-ups online from The Cleveland Leader, Crain's Cleveland Business, and The Plain Dealer. Hoping to see a printed story in tomorrow's PD, and next week in the Scene -- word's getting 'round!

This blog (not updated since the summer, sheesh) will be showing updates more regularly as news unfolds at a more frequent pace... stay tuned, become a fan of our Facebook page, and if you're hip enough, keep up with our Twitter feed. Look for tasty bicycle quotes up there in the corner of our blog, too!

Here's the text of the press release:

FAST TRACK CYCLING, INC. PLANS 150,000-SQUARE-FOOT INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX WITH OLYMPIC-STYLE VELODROME IN CITY OF CLEVELAND

Group contracts to purchase nine-acre site for an indoor multi-use recreational facility for track cycling and other recreational activities

CLEVELAND, January 27, 2010 – Fast Track Cycling, Inc., a Cleveland-based, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a real estate purchase option agreement with the City of Cleveland to acquire a nine-acre vacant site formerly occupied by St. Michaels Hospital in Slavic Village. Fast Track plans to develop and operate an indoor recreational facility which will include a velodrome – a custom-built, banked bicycle track – as part of its mission to support track cycling and other recreational opportunities and promote health and wellness as well as youth programming.

Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport that is featured in the Olympic Games and held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes. Cleveland’s will be only the third indoor velodrome of the 25 in the United States, along with those in California and Colorado.

The project will help to revitalize the Slavic Village neighborhood as well as provide recreation, wellness and other services to children and adults. Current plans are to construct a 150,000-square-foot, air-supported dome structure that will house a 250-meter wood track, 75,000 square feet of turf field, 20,000 square feet of sport court, and other amenities. In addition to cycling, the facility will accommodate a multitude of recreational and sports activities including soccer, track and field, football, baseball, volleyball, basketball, running, walking, among many others. Fast Track has established strategic relationships with Sports Facilities Marketing Group (corporate sponsorships), Edward Howard (public relations), GPD Associates (project engineer) and Vocon Partners (project architect).

A detailed budget and operational projections have been developed. Overall project costs are estimated at $6,500,000. Fast Track is seeking naming rights sponsors, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, federal/state/local grants, and charitable donations from the cycling community.

To date, Fast Track has been funded by a $30,000 grant from Civic Innovation Lab and other donations totaling $7,000 while another $45,000 has been pledged for the capital campaign.

Fast Track is collaborating with Slavic Village Development Corporation and has received positive responses from the Mayor’s Office, members of City Council, and the Cleveland

Planning Commission. Fast Track plans to work closely with various neighborhood groups including Sokol Greater Cleveland.

“The sale and use of this vacant City Land Bank property for a Sports/Olympic-style cycling training center is a welcomed economic opportunity and major boost for Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “With the makings of both a regional and national draw, the proposed cycling center will cast a new light on Slavic Village by generating a sense of pride with benefits that will include job creation, business opportunities, health benefits, and more.”

“Bringing a velodrome and recreational facility to the Broadway/Slavic Village community will not only add an important recreational amenity for residents,” said Ward 5 Councilwoman Phyllis Cleveland, “but it will also bring in visitors and economic growth to the area.”

“This is a terrific opportunity for Slavic Village,” said Marie Kittredge, Executive Director of Slavic Village Community Development Corporation. “The velodrome is a perfect fit for us, because of our central location, and our community’s commitment to active lifestyles and physical fitness. The velodrome will complement our two new athletic fields, the First Tee Golf Course and our Morgana Bike Trail.”

The Slavic Village site is located at McBride Avenue and Broadway Avenue (southeast of the intersection of East 49th Street and Broadway) and offers proximity to all of greater Cleveland, with excellent freeway access to I-77, I-90, I-71, I-490 and I-480.

The 14-member volunteer Board of Trustees has legal, business and finance, political, non-profit, fundraising, construction, and cycling backgrounds. Four board committees include:

  • Site Selection/Acquisition
  • Fundraising/Corporate Sponsors
  • Governance
  • Facilities/Operations.

Project Benefits

  • Health & wellness – all abilities, all access, all community
  • Youth programming
  • Urban redevelopment
  • Year-round community, recreational, elite and regional use
  • Nationally unique venue to attract and retain young, active adults to Northeast Ohio
  • Appeal to a growing market – Cleveland area cyclists
  • Ability to host regional, national and international events throughout the year
  • Potential training center for Olympic and professional cyclists (road and track)