news story

Fast Track Cycling makes progress on plans for velodrome in Slavic Village

by: Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- Fast Track Cycling Inc., a non-profit group based in Cleveland, has an option to purchase the former St. Michael's Hospital site in Slavic Village from the city of Cleveland.

The group hopes to develop and run a recreational facility and a velodrome -- a banked bicycle track -- on 9 acres at McBride and Broadway avenues. The $6.5 million project would include a 150,000 square foot dome housing a 250-meter wooden track, 75,000 square feet of turf fields and other amenities. In addition to cycling, the facility would offer activities including soccer, track and field, football, baseball, volleyball, basketball, running and walking.

The velodrome proposal has been in the works for several years. But Fast Track still needs to raise funds for the project. The group is seeking naming-rights sponsors, corporate sponsors, foundation grants, government grants and charitable donations from the cycling community. So far, Fast Track has received a $30,000 grant from the Civic Innovation Lab, which provides funding for projects that it believes will improve Cleveland's economy. Fast Track also has received $7,000 in donations and has pledges of $45,000 for its capital campaign.

In a news release, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson described the facility as "a welcomed economic opportunity and major boost for Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood."

"With the makings of both a regional and national draw, the proposed cycling center will cast a new light on Slavic Village by generating a sense of pride with benefits that will include job creation, business opportunities, health benefits and more," Jackson said.

Fast Track is working with the Slavic Village Development Corp. and plans to work with neighborhood groups including Sokol Greater Cleveland.

(Source: http://snipr.com/u7j9e)