hyunelan2

I haven’t been active on this site for a few years (having twin babies does that to a person), but thought it might be a good place to come back and start. I’m doing some unofficial research among cycling enthusiasts. Without giving away details I probably shouldn’t, I’m working on a project to potentially build a 72-acre cycling park, about an hour outside of Chicago. This would be a ground-up development on suburban land near interstate access, not redevelopment of an unused industrial warehouse in a run-down area or anything like that. It is potentially a public-private partnership involving a municipality, park district, and private business.

Some of the key items in the park:

• Indoor Velodrome: 250m modern wood-planked track, spectator stands
• Outdoor Criterium Course: 1-mile tarmac course with electronic timing and spectator stands
• Outdoor Mountain Bike Skills Course: artificial & natural structures for mountain biking of various difficulties
• BMX Park: larger than the small typical dirt-parks found throughout the area.
  
• Bike Rentals available for all disciplines.

What makes this possibly economically feasible is the indoor velodrome building. The infield could be used for several uses outside of cycling (trade shows, concerts, indoor soccer, etc.). The fact that there are only 3 other indoor Velodromes currently in the USA could make it have somewhat of a draw. It’s not being developed as a huge money-maker, but more of a “bring people to the area” type of thing.

Any input, criticisms, or comments are welcome. I’m just looking to talk this out with other cycling enthusiasts more than anything.

guacamully

I vote yes.

black_box 

There has been some good development in the NW burbs for mountain biking in the last couple years. Andres Park and Carpentersville (Raceway woods) have some new trails. Check out CAMBr - Chicago Area Mountain Bikers and Andres Bike Park - Chicagoland mountain bike, bmx, and freeride park

lowbike

I vote YES

Randy Bosma

Yes, that's the kind of place I would like to visit.
Are you describing the Chicago Velo Campus on the southeast side?

lowbike

Chicago Velo Campus is way too small and steep

Randy Bosma

The list of proposed features that the OP posted here very closely parallels the objectives of the CVC, hence my question. Two is better than one. I could be convinced to patronize both.