The potential that comes with a new velodrome goes far beyond creating competitive track cyclists, says project leader David Attwell.
Firstly, Uptown site isnB次元官网网址檛 the only site, there are quite a few B次元官网网址� mostly in Saanich B次元官网网址� and thatB次元官网网址檚 because Saanich has shown an interest in adding a hotel to the region. The velodrome proposal, which Attwell presented to the Saanich Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Advisory Committee this week, is a combination of recreational facility, indoor velodrome, and a hotel.
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Attwell is an avid cyclist whoB次元官网网址檚 studied multiple examples of newly built velodromes in England and Europe that all include a recreational facility and either a hotel or are adjacent to a shopping mall.
B次元官网网址淚n England, the foot traffic to the velodrome benefits the mall,B次元官网网址� he said.
And thatB次元官网网址檚 why Uptown, University Heights, Tillicum centre, Cedar Hill and Gordon Head/Lambrick are all possible sites. The key is private-public partnerships.
B次元官网网址淲e know Saanich doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a capital budget to do this stuff,B次元官网网址� Attwell said. B次元官网网址淥ne model is that the private sector can build it, and either lease it back to the city or run it as a facility.B次元官网网址�
Drawing people to the facility once its built isnB次元官网网址檛 something to worry about, he said.
The problem with the Westshore Velodrome is itB次元官网网址檚 limited in use to four months per year, May to August, with some usability in September (the concrete is highly dangerous with any moisture). Not only that, but VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 road racing and bike tourism schedules swell in the summer and die in the winter.
Track cycling, however, is a winter sport and events in the velodrome facility, having a hotel there and hosting conferences, conventions, concerts in the facility would draw people to Victoria in the winter.
B次元官网网址淵ou can fit five basketball courts inside a velodrome, and we know weB次元官网网址檝e got 1,500 athletes in the night basketball league who had troubles getting courts this year and the same goes for night volleyball, with 1,000, people,B次元官网网址� Attwell said. B次元官网网址淲ith a net, the centre court can be used at the same time as cycling.B次元官网网址�
If people need proof that velodromes work, in Milton they didnB次元官网网址檛 know if theyB次元官网网址檇 fill it up, in fact, they have 9,500 certified riders registered at Milton and 330,000 annual visits to the track, not including the inside field for basketball and volleyball.
B次元官网网址淲e have a strong cycling community in Victoria, a school, a lot of users ready to step in,B次元官网网址� Attwell said.
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