Wikipedia

Burnaby Velodrome

One of only three indoor bicycle racing tracks in Canada,[1] the Burnaby Velodrome is located in Burnaby, British Columbia.[2] It is operated by the non-profit Burnaby Velodrome Club (BVC),[3] and is an affiliated member of Cycling British Columbia.[4] The track is located inside the Harry Jerome Sports Centre, which is also used by Volleyball BC for game play and administration purposes.[5]

Harry Jerome Sports Centre
The Bubble
Map
Location7564 Barnet Highway, Burnaby, British Columbia
Coordinates49°17′21″N 122°56′26″W / 49.28905°N 122.94051°W / 49.28905; -122.94051
OwnerCity of Burnaby
Field size200m oval track in a 53,000 sq. f. facility
Construction
Built1991-1997
OpenedNovember 1997
Construction cost$1,500,000 CAD
Tenants
Burnaby Velodrome Club
Volleyball British Columbia
Website
www.burnabyvelodrome.ca

History

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Built between 1991 and 1997, the Burnaby Velodrome replaced the China Creek Velodrome, which was in operation from 1954 to 1980. The China Creek Velodrome was built for the Empire Games in 1954 and torn down because of the construction of Vancouver Community College's Broadway campus.[2] The track surface and support structure were designed in part by the CTA Design Group,[6] and cost approximately $1.5 million to build.[7] The velodrome opened on November 17, 1997.[8]

In October 2000, an engineering report was produced, which identified concerns about the roof structure and condition of the cycle track surface. The track was closed in May 2001, citing safety concerns by the risk manager for the City of Burnaby.[9] In October 2001, the director of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department informed the Burnaby City Council that the BVC wanted to repair and upgrade the track.[10] Cycling BC[11] and the president of the Marymoor Velodrome[12] supported the repairs and re-opening.

In April 2002, the BVC's plan was chosen from several competing proposals, including the removal of the track surface.[13][14] Professional cyclist Alex Stieda and members of the public wrote in support of the BVC's proposal.[15][16] In November 2002, the club re-opened and held a successful open house.[17]

Facilities

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The velodrome is 6 meters wide and 200 meters long, with bankings of 47 degrees in the corners and 15 degrees in the straightaways. The track surface is a combination of strip planks and plywood sheeting.[18] Riders must maintain a speed of at least 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph) in order to avoid falling off the track.[19]

High-level cyclists who have trained or raced at the facility include Brian Walton, Tanya Dubnicoff, Lori-Ann Muenzer,[14] and Mandy Poitras.[20]

In 2000, the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area was formed, which includes the land under the Harry Jerome Sports Centre.[21] The Velodrome Trail (pedestrians only) starts just behind the HJSC.[22] In 2006, a trail was cut between the Harry Jerome Sports Centre and the former gun club site to facilitate movement of emergency personnel attending to operations on Burnaby Mountain.[23]

Programs

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In 2010, the BVC started the Aboriginal Youth Cycling program under the direction of program coordinator Kelyn Akuna.[24] This program, the first of its kind, is a way for aboriginal youth to learn about track cycling.[25]

In 2011, BVC President, Scott Laliberte, made a presentation to Burnaby City Council, stating that membership had increased for each of the past two years, and that a variety of training programs were in place.[26]

The velodrome plays host to a variety of races every year, including the Feature Friday Night Race Series,[27] the Burnaby 4 Day,[28] and club races throughout the season.[29] In the past, they have hosted the Junior and U17 National Track Championships,[30] as well as the BC Provincial Track Championships.[31][32] Visitors will need a UCI license to ride or race during their visit.

The velodrome also hosts a variety of youth camps, training sessions, and race clinics year-round.[33][34] There are monthly sprint or time trial events as well.[35]

In 2014, the club's redesigned logo by Jonathan Wood won a Communication Arts Typography award.[36]

Major competitions hosted

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Year Date Event Level
2014 December 27–30 Burnaby 4-Day Bike Race Regional
2014 September 12–14 BC Provincial Track Championship Regional
2014 November 21–24 National Junior and U17 Track Championship National
2013 December 27–30 Burnaby 4-Day Bike Race Regional
2012 December 27–30 Superior Glass 4-Day Regional
2012 November 9–11 Superior Glass Track Classic Regional
2010 December 27–30 Saputo Burnaby 4 Regional

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ewing, Lori (5 January 2015). "New velodrome in Milton is star of Canadian track cycling championships". Winnipeg Free Press. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 29 March 2015. There is a 150-metre covered track in London, Ont., and one in Burnaby, B.C., that measures 200 metres. But neither is near the calibre of the oval in Milton.
  2. ^ a b "Harry Jerome Sports Centre". Tourism Burnaby. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  3. ^ Gallagher, Margaret (2 May 2014). "It's like riding on a roller coaster you're in control of". CBC News.
  4. ^ "Affiliates". Cycling BC. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Volleyball BC". Volleyball BC. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Item 10 - Harry Jerome Sports Centre - Response to Cycling B.C. and Burnaby Velodrome Club Delegation". Burnaby City Council. 31 October 2001. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  7. ^ "March 1992. Vancouver prepares for velodrome opening this fall (Burnaby, B.C.) (1997)" (PDF). Bicycle Paper (49). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 28 March 2015. will cost $1.5 million to complete
  8. ^ "1997 November 17". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Item 09 - Repairs to the Cycling Track at Harry Jerome Sports Centre". City of Burnaby Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  10. ^ "2001 October 15". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  11. ^ "2001 November 05". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  12. ^ "2001 November 26". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  13. ^ "2002 April 08". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Burnaby Track in Trouble". Canadian Cyclist. 5 April 2002. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  15. ^ "2002 April 15". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  16. ^ "2002 May 06". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  17. ^ "2002 November 25". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  18. ^ Pospisil, Rudy (26 November 2013). "Velodrome Cycling". The Province. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  19. ^ Walker, Ian (10 May 2008). "Steep Learning Curve". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network Inc. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  20. ^ "Burnaby Track Closure Affects National Track Team". Pedal Magazine. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  21. ^ "Item 1 - Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area Management Plan". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  22. ^ "Velodrome Trail". City of Burnaby. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Trail Safety on Burnaby Mountain". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  24. ^ Dobie, Cayley (14 July 2014). "A Passion for Pedaling". BurnabyNOW. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  25. ^ Bartel, Mario (10 January 2012). "Cycling to Change the World". New Westminster News Leader. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  26. ^ "2011 April 04". Burnaby City Council. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Feature Friday Night Race Series". Canadian Cyclist. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Burnaby 4-Day Bike Race". BurnabyNOW. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Friday Night Racing". The Holeshot. 15 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  30. ^ "Junior and U17 Track Championships". Cycling British Columbia. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  31. ^ "BC Provincial Track Championships". Cycling British Columbia. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  32. ^ Burritt, Dan (27 December 2010). "World champs head to Burnaby Velodrome this week". News 1130.
  33. ^ "Junior Skill Development Camp" (PDF). Cycling Canada. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Burnaby Velodrome Youth Training Camps". Mid Island Velo Association.
  35. ^ "Racing". Cycling British Columbia. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  36. ^ "2014 Typography Annual Winners". Communication Arts. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
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