By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor
The City of Coatesville in southeastern Pennsylvania is conducting a feasibility study to develop a new indoor velodrome and cycling complex. The city has applied for an Industries Planning - Tourism grant to the State of Pennsylvania to fund two-thirds of the cost of the study. The company managing the study is the Velodrome Management Group, headed by David Chauner, who also runs Threshold Sports, the promoting company of the Philadelphia International Bike Race.
"The proposed facility would be the nation's second indoor velodrome and the only one in the Eastern United States," Chauner said in a statement. "Southeastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding area is a hotbed for cycling. There is no better time than now and no better fit than Coatesville."
The Coatesville Velodrome and American Cycling Center development plan is intended to determine the feasibility of creating, developing and managing a facilities complex dedicated to the sport of cycling for competition, training, development and recreation. The proposed development plan will call upon experts in the fields of architecture, site development, marketing, coaching, youth development and international exchange.
The City of Coatesville wants to create a community asset that supports revitalization with a focus on improved recreation, tourism and economic development, and to establish Coatesville as a nationally and internationally recognized centre for cycling and the various Olympic disciplines including track, road, off road and BMX.
The proposed site will include the following:
Velodrome: A fully enclosed 250 meter indoor wooden velodrome with 2,500 permanent seats allowing for year round national and international championship competition such as Olympic trials, World Championships, Pan American Games and World Cup meets.
BMX Track: A state of the art BMX (Bicycle motocross) track suitable for local, national and international championship events, training camps, and pre-Olympic competition. BMX racing becomes an Olympic sport in 2008.
Trails: A network of traffic free mountain bike trails and road bike paths suitable for recreation and competitive use.
