06 Dec USA Cycling, Others Pledge Support for First East Coast Indoor Velodrome
National Velodrome at Albright College Promotes Multi-use
December 6, 2017, Reading, PA: USA Cycling, the national governing body for cycling in the United States, recently confirmed its support for the nation’s first world class indoor velodrome in the Eastern United States.
According to a written statement to the developers of the velodrome by Derek Bouchard-Hall, CEO of USAC, “Our country would immensely benefit from year round indoor velodromes for competition, training and development that will service our membership and contribute to the development of athletes capable of representing the U.S. in world-class competition… USA Cycling fully supports your efforts and hopes for your success.”
Scott Schnitzspahn, USAC VP of Elite Athletics, added, “USA Cycling will look to bring our nation’s top athletes to the National Velodrome for multiple camps each year and we hope that the National Velodrome could be a regular host to national elite competitions as well.”
USA Cycling has joined a growing number of businesses, organizations and individuals that have confirmed interest in supporting the National Velodrome at Albright College through investment, donations, lease of space and sponsorship. The list includes Albright College, Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, Michael Ehlerman, Link Strategy Group, Marlin Miller, MFUNd Foundation, Obsession Media, Pennsylvania’s Americana’s Region, The Reading Eagle Newspaper, Serotta Design, Tower Health System, Stephen Whisnant Strategies, Zwift and several community foundations.
“We are extremely gratified by the diverse interest in the velodrome from the Greater Reading community, and local and national cycling organizations,” said David Chauner, CEO of World Cycling League, the company that is developing the facility. “Our goal has always been to create a viable and sustainable multi-purpose arena and community asset with cycling as its anchor activity.”
Interest in the project from the Greater Reading community has increased following formation of the Velodrome Development Foundation, a not-for-profit organization run by community and sports leaders to support velodrome development and drive public programming initiatives. Its president, Lex McMillan, is President Emeritus of Albright College and was Albright’s president last April when the college provided the seven acre site on which the velodrome will be constructed. As one of the project’s biggest advocates, he said “I believe that the Velodrome will be the most dramatic, transformational project for our community in a generation.”
Developers are now focused on securing construction financing for the $25 million project though a mix of private investment, usage commitments, donations and conventional financing available through various public programs and financial institutions. According to John Nelson, COO of the World Cycling League who is leading the financing effort, formation of the non-profit Velodrome Development Foundation, recent zoning approval, support from Albright College, and WCL’s initial $500,000 investment to drive the project are key catalysts in the effort.
“We expect to have financing in place and groundbreaking by March next year then another twelve to fourteen months for buildout,” Nelson said.
About the Velodrome: The National Velodrome at Albright College will be a 2,500-seat, high-tech indoor cycling and special events arena. In addition to livestreaming worldwide coverage of World Cycling League international cycling tournaments between October and March each year, the modern technology-enabled facility will host year-round cycling programs, pre-Olympic training camps and events, collegiate events and a variety of other sporting events and special programs. The velodrome building will include a state-of-the-art athlete performance center, trackside bar and restaurant called the “Bell Lap”, locker rooms, bicycle storage facilities, a souvenir shop and retail space for businesses that cater to visitors to the facility.
Contact: info@worldcyclingleague.com