Recreational Facilities, Velodromes, etc.

[Mike K.]

Velodrome options going round

By Edward Hill
Goldstream News Gazette
Sep 06 2006

As the sun sets over the Juan de Fuca velodrome on a warm Thursday evening, cyclists hit speeds that would bring grief from highway police.

The 333-metre oval track banks as high as 28 degrees, and draws at least 40 recreational riders three days a week for sprints and high-speed pursuits.

It's also the centerpiece for Canada's national cycling team training centre, but now riders and West Shore Parks and Recreation officials are mulling if the sun is permanently setting on the track, built for the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

The track's infield turf is at the end of its usable life, and the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society has it slated to be replaced with an all-weather field.

Langford Coun. Denise Blackwell, chair of the society, has suggested removing the ends of the velodrome to allow for regulation-sized soccer and rugby pitches.

Blackwell noted that regulation velodromes are now covered 250 metre tracks, making the JDF velodrome out of date.

"It is no longer the size recognized for their events," she said. "It may be OK for practice, but it won't ever be used again for events."

Matt Barlee, president of the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association, argues that is simply not the case. He said it can be used for national championships, as it was last year, local events, the Pan Am Games or even another Commonwealth Games.

"To say the velodrome can't host events is an overstatement," Barlee said. "The only thing we can't host is world cup circuit events."

The velodrome, one of seven in Canada, is used to train both track and road cycling athletes, Barlee said. He suspects if the velodrome shuts down, the national cycling training would move to Quebec.

"It's not just for a few elite track riders," he added. "If fact, you see a lot more use from recreational cyclers."

David Richardson, a Metchosin rider with the GVVA, says Victoria has become the No. 1 place in Canada for cycling in terms of competition riders and commuters.

"We feel as users, cycling should be part of the mix to develop Canada as a bike nation," Richardson said in between laps in the velodrome. "We have a good blend of sport at JDF. We should build on that."

Mark Johnson, the parks and recreation centre administrator, said getting rid of the velodrome is an option, but cautioned that discussion about the site is very preliminary.

"We are right at the beginning of looking at the potential of the site," he said.

The only plan on the books is replacing the infield turf for about $700,000.

However, Johnson said options for uses of the site will be presented to the parks and recreation board Sept. 14, which include a concept for a 10,000 seat stadium and a covered 250 metre velodrome.

Johnson stressed a variety of options will be offered, but declined to elaborate.

The parks and recreation society is in no position to finance a stadium and a covered velodrome, Blackwell noted.

"If someone comes at us with money to enhance the use of the site, we will definitely look at it."

mailto:reporter@goldstreamgazette.com

[Scaper]

I talked to a Langford councilor this summer. He told me of this. The Western Community municipalities are all working together on this. The goal is to build a 12,000 plus outdoor stadium there eventually. The are also working with Soccer Canada on this.

I was told by Langford Council that they plan to rebuild a new and improved /valadrome in Langford after they destroy the current one. They also have plans to build in langford a National Basketball academy, through money given by Steve Nash.

[aastra]

Saanich is out to lunch. They should join forces with UVic and rebuild a proper outdoor stadium facility there. Those blue Commonwealth Games era seats on the far side of UVic's track have been bleached almost white by a decade of exposure to the elements.

A comfortable 10,000 seat facility would be a great thing for Victoria and for UVic.

[Scaper]

That is so true....Too bad too because Saanich could have left a legacy of the games by building an outdoor stadium there for the Capitol.

The unfortunate part is now there is no fedral grants to help us build one, where as back in the early 90's the Fed's and the provincial gov't were willing to help foot the bill for these things.

Saanich is still pondering a stadium at the Comuson College campus on Interurban. Numbers between 5,000 and 15,000 have been discussed. But we are talking about Saanich so nothing will happen.

The stadium will surely get built in the West Shores along with the bigger Arena as well.

[renthefinn]

I wouldn't say nothing will happen, cause something is underway on that site already, it's more like whatever is built there will turn out underwhelming, so that it'll fit in with the rest of the municipality.

[Scaper]

^hahahahaha

[Holden West]

If you want to find out what Len Barrie has up his sleeve, go down to the velodrome tomorrow at 1 PM where he will announce plans for a new stadium.

[Scaper]

Where did you here this?

[VicHockeyFan]

I know the Rebels have dreams of a new stadium.

Also, when we held the Mavericks awards banquet at Soprano's last month, they showed plans they have had for 8 years for a $3 baseball field and complex to replace the old Red Barn at Lambrick Park (shown below).

[img]http://www.vdba.ca/images-template/template-header.jpg[/img]

It's formally called the Bert Richman Buiding.

[img]http://www.vdba.ca/images-for-website/vdbamarblesign.jpg[/img]

[Scaper]

They'll be playing in Colwood soon enough.

[Holden West]

Originally Posted by Scaper

Where did you here this?

A Channel is saying 10,000 seats.

[G-Man]

What? That could screw RAP out of a lot of events! Oh well there will always be beer fest.

[Scaper]

that's down from the number the langford councilor told me. Though still a good seat number. I was told 12,500 same for the arena.

But I think 10,000 seats is perfect. Too bad Victoria and Saanich didn't get their asses in gear for this. Also if they would have built one for the common wealth games the Federal and Provincial governments would have footed some of the bill. But we are talking Victoria and Saanich so no wonder it didn't get done.

[Mike K.]

Here's some more info. $12,000,000 to create a new allweather field and fund 2,000 permanent seats with 8,000 removable seats (which will be leased across the island and used at the stadium when required).

[VicHockeyFan]

$12M? Scaper, what can you make that field for?

EDIT: oh, all-weather, they are pretty cool. Grass blades of plastic filled with rubber pellets.

[Scaper]

Well that's dissapointing...its no better than Uvics stadium. Infact it's smaller. Temperary seats at Uvic can hold over 15,000. Huh...another joke! I wonder if this new arena will also have temperary seats too. Man I am so proud to be a Victorian!!!

[DelsterX]

West Shore wonder: State-of-the-art sports facility expected to house stadium and velodrome

[img]http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/idl/vitc/20060921/170821-63983.jpg[/img]

September 21, 2006
Represented as a bargain-priced facility that would be the envy of North America, plans for a new stadium and field house at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre look good on paper. Now the real work starts.

Politicians, special interest groups, and media packed the Juan de Fuca field house on Wednesday for a press

conference held by the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society, made up of representatives from Colwood, Langford, Metchosin, and Highlands, and the West Shore Economic Development Association. With detailed illustrations, the groups presented their ambitious plan to replace the current velodrome cycling track with the West Shore Stadium and Multi Sport Field House.

The 10,000-seat stadium would be suitable for Canadian football, rugby, soccer, and field lacrosse, while plans for the attached field house include an indoor wooden velodrome, plus an multi-sport infield, the size of four basketball courts. In addition, architect Vic Davies, who designed popular Bear Mountain Arena, has the field house roof cantilevered over the stadium bleachers, providing a covered area for 3,500 spectators. The two facilities would share change rooms, offices, and washrooms.

The estimated cost is $3 million for the stadium, and another $9 million for the field house, with a completion date of 2009 or 2010.

"I'm urging you people -- when we need money, when we go out for help, support us," said Colwood businessman Bob Saunders, who was described by WEDA CEO Peter Fibiger as the wings beneath the project. "We need to recognize kids that are involved in sport."

Saunders and the WEDA have spent about two years working on the stadium concept, and now they are going after the funding to make it a reality. So far, besides the public land for the buildings, the only local taxpayer money involved is $700,000 already earmarked for replacement of the worn turf in the infield of the velodrome, which was constructed for the Commonwealth Games in 1994. If plans for the stadium proceed, that money would likely be transferred to the new facility.

Otherwise the group, which has set spring as a deadline for the dollars-to-doughnuts study, expects to apply for funds from government Olympic programs such as LiveSites and 2010 Olympic Opportunities Now, and develop regional, provincial, and national business partnerships. Fibiger said the $12-million price tag is an "extreme

bargain," thanks to having the stadium lighting and most of the drainage already in place, and using an economical-style exterior for the field house, similar to the tin-sided Bear Mountain Arena. As far as more parking, talks are ongoing with the DND next door.

"The intent from the beginning is to make this happen without further burdening the taxpayers of this community. Our goal is to make this happen," Fibiger said.

It all sounds great in theory, but bike racer and trainer Jason Anson voiced the worry of the cycling community that the velodrome would be razed for the stadium, and the money would run out before the field house was built. He said the prevailing opinion that the current track is outdated for international events is misguided, as only World Cup races need a smaller-sized oval.

"We are the cycling capital of Canada," Anson said. "It's incredibly important for us to take a lead role."

A potential West Shore home for Canadian cycling program is just one of the national links being explored for the new facility. Internationally, most events require a minimum of 10,000 seats, and the stadium would be a given to play host to prestigious competitions. Locally, the Victoria Rebels football club is expected to be a tenant, and gridiron exploits might include a B.C. Lions training camp or CFL exhibition game. If the dollars match the vision, the possibilities are boundless.

"We're going to be the envy of North America," Saunders said. "Let's move forward."

[DelsterX]

I would be really surprsed if this did not get built. Things happen in the Westhore. Things are not analyzed to death then finally come up with something that does not meet the needs of original intent and are left with something mediocre that you are not proud of. Sound familiar???

[VicHockeyFan]

Ya, this'll get done.

Bob Saunders is a good guy (even if he does sell Subarus).

There is no mention of the 2000/10,000 seat convertability.

[HOMBRE]

yeah it is a little disappointing but whatever, hopefully it spur the city to do something with RAP.

lets face the facts and figures RAP is CRAP

[zoomer]

there is so much hot air coming out of the Western communities lately, that frankly I'm taking the attitude that I'm from Missouri. Lets see just one of these monster highrises break ground... The rumours were that this was going to be a first class stadium with relatively large permanent seating, and instead we get another small town stadium.

12 million is a laughable amount, you won't get much for that. Yet the hot air continues "We're going to be the envy of North America," Saunders said. The envy of North America with a 12 million dollar stadium and fieldhouse?! Not even the envy of Central America!!

No, instead we're saving money by "using an economical-style exterior for the field house, similar to the tin-sided Bear Mountain Arena." Nothing says world class like tin! Why do we insist on taking the cheap route all the time?!

[aastra]

Victorians go cheap because they can't get the other municipalities to contribute any money. The other municipalities go cheap because they ARE cheap.

[Ms. B. Havin]

This is unknown territory for me, as I'm not big on sports.

Didn't watch the Olympics at all, for example. I did hear about how few medals overall Canada won, though.

Don't do local team sports, either.

But there are a couple of letters in today's T-C that raise some issues around fitness and how we ensure that our kids have facilities for exercising and training.

Here are the letters -- folks with first-hand experience/ insight, please jump in!

Velodrome demolition a poor decision
Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008

Silken Laumann wrote recently that Canada doesn't care about sport unless it's a men's professional team sport. West Shore Recreation's recent decision to demolish an existing all-weather field, surrounding velodrome and BMX track to build a semi-pro football stadium and a parking lot, confirms her point.

I help organize a bike club at Margaret Jenkins Elementary that uses the velodrome and BMX track. These facilities are a major draw to bike clubs in several schools. In our club alone, more than 50 boys and girls (75 this year) have blossomed on those facilities in each of the last five years.

These facilities motivate kids to learn skills before they venture out on roads. There are no other facilities like them in the region.


West Shore Recreation has decided to demolish the existing sports field and velodrome at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in favour of a larger stadium. Letter-writers suggest the loss of the current structure will leave a gaping hole in the region's sports facilities.View Larger Image View Larger Image
West Shore Recreation has decided to demolish the existing sports field and velodrome at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in favour of a larger stadium. Letter-writers suggest the loss of the current structure will leave a gaping hole in the region's sports facilities.
Darren Stone, Times Colonist

These facilities are safe, well-used, attract community groups to run the programs, cost nothing to maintain, are in great condition and make money. Never mind the obligation to maintain the legacy of the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

There is an alternative site for the sports field already proposed by Langford.

A parking lot and spectator seats are not an appropriate use for recreation land. Clearly these teams are not economically sustainable or they would not be going after municipal land.

At least two funding municipal councils have questioned their representatives' decision to demolish the velodrome and BMX track, but recreation council reps are not required to listen to them.

Canada has been in a long decline in children's fitness and sport performance. It's decisions like this that do nothing to help.

Lister Farrar
Victoria

The next letter addresses adults being pushed out of a facility -- because a youth group got pushed out of the Velodrome:

Loss of facility will affect other sports groups
Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008

I am one of more than 50 members of a masters soccer club on the West Shore who have used the facilities at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre for the last 30 years. This season we have been told that we have to vacate our established playing time -- at 7 p.m. -- in order to make way for an start-up youth field lacrosse team who want to play under floodlights and have been told they cannot use the Velodrome field.

We fully support youth sport; in fact as part of our commitment to give back to the community our club donates to Kidsport, provides a scholarship to a local high school program, gives a number of new bicycles and equipment to needy children at Christmas and members volunteer at the Paul Valentine Memorial Tournament.

We also host an annual international soccer tournament on the Labour Day weekend which sees upwards of 20 teams coming into the capital region and supporting local businesses.

We feel, as a group, let down by the powers that be who are buckling under pressure from a new user group that has several high profile local politicians as supporters.

Not only will this decision affect our club, but also the hundreds of other masters players who come out to play us as part of the Southern Vancouver Island Classics Soccer Association and it will affect the social aspect of our club that has historically been a strong reason for our continued membership.

This one decision in favour of a new organization could well spell the end of an established one.

Rob Patten
Juan de Fuca Masters Football Club
Victoria

And finally, a letter that addresses the Olympic rowers and their facility at Elk Lake:

Rowers deserve a better training facility
Times Colonist
Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008

Congratulations to the Canadian rowers who have made us so proud during the Beijing Olympics. And shame on us for providing them with such a lousy venue in which to train.

The cox of the men's eight was interviewed and spoke about the "shed" at Elk Lake that was the worst facility of all the countries that had entrants in rowing.

We owe our men and women a decent facility and time on the lake when they can be on their own to practice, or at least a part of the lake that is theirs only for practice at any time.

The "shed" should be transformed into a proper facility with a weight room, a training room and good, clean change rooms. I don't know much else they would need -- but that would be a good start and the rowers should be consulted about their requirements.

That way we would be treasuring the athletes we expect to perform -- and they do, Olympics after Olympics -- even with the dump we provide for them.

But they must feel pretty undervalued. We cheer for them when they win at the Olympics, ignore the world championships, and give them a crappy place to train.

Time to change. Time to value our people who train on Elk Lake. Time to stop taking them for granted.

Salome Waters
Victoria

On a related note, there's a UN report out, on which the T-C ran a commentary today, Rich countries, troubled kids. It notes that:

one in five Canadian kids aged 13 to 15 admits to being overweight.

After the U.S., that's the highest percentage of any country in the study, and likely in the world. Yet that's only how many children acknowledge they have a weight problem: The actual number is far higher.

So it's not like we're doing well in terms of child welfare and can afford to eliminate or fail to upkeep athletic facilities, either.

Incidentally, that report had another interesting statistic. Sweden and Greece are two countries that do far better than Canada in terms of having healthier, better-adjusted/happier children (ditto Hungary and Italy), not least because in those countries, kids spend time with adults and actually eat dinner together as a family. But get this: while 40% of Canadian kids smoke pot, only 5% of Swedish and Greek kids do. Sweden has a low tolerance for "recreational" drugs and aggressively goes after dealers (law) and drug users (detox), and marijuana is considered a gateway drug. That all sounds so hopelessly retardataire and old fashioned, doesn't it? I used to think so, but after being back in Canada and seeing open drug use everywhere, I've switched sides. As for legalizing drugs (usually based on some specious argument about how poorly the US is doing in getting drugs under control), count me out. Sometimes tolerance isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[Mike K.]

...while 40% of Canadian kids smoke pot, only 5% of Swedish and Greek kids do.

Don't Europeans smoke cigarettes like the dickens?

[Ms. B. Havin]

^ From my observations, on the Continent, the northern and western countries are increasingly more smoke-free, but the further east you go (ex-Communist states), the more smokers you'll find. The English are a class onto themselves: smokers. Don't know about Greece, but I don't remember that it was obnoxious.