Queen City Velodrome
In recent weeks there have been more than a handful of discussions regarding what to do with upwards of 20,0000 square feet of available warehouse space in Black Rock. The building in question is located directly next door to the future student living accommodations known as Rock Harbor Commons. One of the ideas that has been floated about is the possibility of building a relatively short length indoor velodrome – a bicycle racing track that would also accommodate roller derby (inner circle).
This coming Sunday, a group of cyclists will be heading to London, Ontario to research the inner-workings of the Forest City velodrome. Forest City has become a destination unto itself, with cyclists coming from hundreds of miles around to test out the track on a regular basis. At this time, fixed-riders from Buffalo are currently making the trek on a somewhat regular basis. And as the cold weather approaches, the idea of an indoor cycle track becomes more and more appealing.
As it stands, we are looking for avid cycle groups from around WNY (and beyond) that would consider calling the Queen City/Rock Harbor Velodrome ‘Home’. We’re interested in hearing from fixed gear riders, roller derby teams, in-line skate clubs, etc. If you have first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of velodrome, we would like to hear from you. Please send an email to this address for further information regarding the possibility of building the Queen City/Rock Harbor Velodrome.
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Deleuze
I'm for this project one hundred percent. I'm concerned though with the amount of space. The forest city velodrome is the smallest in the world, which makes it extremely exciting to ride on, but I don't think it would make sense to make one that is much smaller.
As long as there is space, this would make buffalo one of THE destinations in the northeast for competitive track racing in the U.S. It would help revamp Buffalo's once thriving cycling community.
Cheers MC http://sevenonefixed.blogspot.com/
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blackrocklifer
Black Rock would welcome this project and the location is ideal. The interest in our long overlooked area is finally starting to build and this would dovetail nicely with other recent developements. On a side note- One of Buffalo's early bicycle clubs was located nearby on Niagara near Hamilton St..The Black Rock Cycle Club dates to the turn of the century and survived into the late 1930's.
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BlackRockAdvocate
With clean and exciting ideas and projects in the making in and around this area I think that it is now clear that the poorly proposed and absentminded Ambassador Bridge design for this Neighborhood is a dead issue! It is now time for the AB group which is the single larges absentee slumlord in Black Rock to stop holding land hostage that it has owned for 10 yrs and done NOTHING with to step aside as our community moves forward .
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MattCarlucci
That's what I love about Buffalo. Outside the box thinking!
I could show a vacant warehouse to 100 people anywhere else and I seriously doubt a single one would say "We should build a velodrome!".
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sbrof
Depending on how it is supported \ framed maybe there is an options to expand out the back of the structure in the future. If it gets off the ground and makes a little dough.
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CampusWheelWorks
We as a shop would LOVE to see this project come to fruition, but we second what Deleuze says, making it any smaller than the Forest City Velodrome could be dangerous and would limit the use of the track (ex, no racing could take place). This has the potential to be a huge regional draw, especially with the borders tightening and access to the velodrome in London, Ontario being difficult. Track racing is growing in momentum and popularity and Buffalo CAN be a huge asset to this sport.
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SharpcutTim
There are many local clubs that would take advantage of this and draw people to the area. I know that the Buffalo Bicycling Club started "Track Racing" down at Holland Raceway this year. A facility like this would actually turn that program into a legitimate racing option. Not to mention the events that Buffalo can host. There are only a handful of velodromes in the US
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mowglimowgli
Black Rock does deserve more respect and attention.
After all, this would be "Black Rock Rising" if they had succeeded in getting the Canal Terminus. (http://www.buffaloah.com/h/erieC/percy/percy.html)
Besides, I would love not having to drive all the way to NT to satisfy my Queen City Roller Girls fix.
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