Velodrome/ Track Cycling (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: home, purchase, tax)

[trauch10]

There was some noise several years ago about a velodrome (bike racing track) being planned in the ABQ/RR area. I can't find any updates on it though. Any ideas whats happening/ happened?

[ABQConvict]

The city bought ($$$) a velodrome track then let it crumble into a pile of splinters. Your tax dollars at work.

For some reason they'll go and do something like that and them build a BMX park 10 yards from some poor folk's backyards.


ABQConvict

[Poncho_NM]

The used velodrome was being donated. Initially it was being given to Rio Rancho however after consideration it turned out to be not as good a deal as some had expected. Albuquerque was supposed to accept the velodrome and it was supposed to be part of the BMX track facility. Funding was never made available for the structure. The velodrome is said to remain in the city's plans awaiting funding. Most of the objections I recall besides the funding is that there simply are not enough riders. I guess all this started in around 2002.

Call one of the Albuquerque city councilors and inquire if it is of interest.



Rich

[abegofet]

What about the BMX center near the CNM downtown Campus on Buena Vista and Ceasar Chavez? I thought this was Albuquerque's response to the velodrome

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by abegofet

What about the BMX center near the CNM downtown Campus on Buena Vista and Ceasar Chavez? I thought this was Albuquerque's response to the velodrome

That is the Veloport / Bicycle Moto-Cross (BMX) Track. But the actual velodrome, the large wooden banked oval track was never assembled. I believe the BMX track which is cheaper to maintain is a better solution than the limited use veledrome.

There has been a lot of BMX activity:
Duke City BMX


Rich

[lalahartma]

Wow, a velodrome would have been great. Love the one in CoS.

[ABQConvict]

Regardless of how the velodrome was obtained or where they planned to put it, it is ruined. If Albuquerque wants to set up a velodrome, they will have to get a new track.


From a 2004 article:

"It was originally built for the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, after which the SVA purchased it for about an eighth of the original $500,000 cost.

The SVA intended to install its track at a site in Rio Rancho, but the deal with that city collapsed for lack of funding, and Hoffman says that while waiting for a home the last several years, the dismantled wood planks have been sitting, exposed to the elements, on an Albuquerque lot. As a result, the track will now require a $20,000 resurface, though Hoffman says that the Albuquerque venue is otherwise on budget and schedule."

I'm not sure who or what the SVA is, but if they are funded by private money, the city wasted it and if they are funded by tax money, it was wasted. The purchase of the velodrome was a big waste of money either way. Also, in 2004 it needed a $20,000 resurfacing. Considering its storage conditions haven't changed in five years... Anyone need some firewood?


ABQConvict

[trauch10]

well, thats too bad. There is a track out here, about 40 minutes south of Milwaukee. It is a nice addition to the local park and provides a good, healthy activity for locals.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

I'm not sure who or what the SVA is,

The SVA is or was the "Southwest Velodrome Association". a non-profit organization. Jonathan T. Powell was the President.



Rich

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by BikerBruce

Is this city and State guilty of Criminal Waste, in this instance? You tell me.

BikerBruce

City of criminal waste?

You left a lot out of the story. The Velodrome was originally slated to come to Rio Rancho. Briefly, after much discussion at City Council meetings the generous offer of giving the Velodrome to the city for free was not really for free. Just because you have a free used wooden Velodrome does not mean all is well and it can be magically be created. The City of Rio Rancho City Council determined that the "Free Velodrome" was not going to be as free as advertised... It was killed for Rio Rancho. So then the "Velodrom group" pitched the idea to the city of Albuquerque.

Being a taxpayer in Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, I would be against using citizens taxpayer money for the Velodrome. I might consider it criminal waste.

The BMX track, a different issue, but related, is more useful to the generation much younger than me.


Rich