arldavey

The local school board where I live is trying to figure out what to do with under enrolled schools. I said make them attractive build a velodrome, share the cost with the county and provide space for the only coop, all in one swoop. Please help write to: schoolbd@arlington.k12.va.us subject should be "velodrome for public schools " thanks

Busta Quad

Taxpayer money going toward a velodrome in this economy? I don't think so.

arldavey

they got the money , too few responded to the request for the velodrome in a sports complex. They just redid a single school at $190M usd All I'm asking is some letters expressing the value to childrens and adults health that a Velodrome would provide.

Dubbayoo

+1. Even as an ex-trackie I'd rather see a bike path/trail than a velodrome.

AEO

multi-purpose track and field.

davesax36

I grew up in Arlington, and went to the most recently rebuilt high school. I think when I was in school it would have been cool to have a velodrome, but I was riding offroad then pretty much exclusively. I'll probably send an email, but you might have to also include something about sponsored cycling teams at the high school level at least.

Busta Quad

Right. But that was for "education". I'm not against the idea; I'm just playing devil's advocate. The public will never go for it.

arldavey

Two of the board members like bikes, one has a kid on a junior team. If they get a bunch of letters it can happen. BTW all the HS have indoor pools , so please don't go devil - thanks

longbeachgary

We have a velodrome at the Home Depot center at Cal State Dominguez Hills. It was originally built for the 84 olympics but was torn down and replaced when the HDC was built. Didn't cost the school any money though.

Busta Quad

Right - but you have to have a pool to swim. Joe Taxpayer is going to say "WTF? Bikes are for outside, and you want to spend money to ride them _inside_?"

BTW - you should always welcome devil's advocates, as they will help you formulate your arguments for your real opponents.

arldavey

I got asked this "Hi,

I read your post on Craigslist - I am really interested in the idea, but confused as to how a Velodrome will aid in under enrolled schools?

Not against your idea - just hoping for more clarification. I think a velodrome is a great idea for Arlington as a county that promotes bicycling as a means for fitness and transportation. How it relates to the school system I am not sure." It fits within Arlingtons promotion of alternate transportatio, provides year around activity that would fit into year around schooling and we do host the clarendon cup aka the CSC cup. thanks devil my bad

arldavey

there are bike trails but are tough to ride when they are covered in ice and its -10 outside.

knucklesandwich

A velodrome has nothing to do with education, and would appeal to such a small cross section of students (and Arlington residents) as to be a gross waste of taxpayer money.

You don't need hundreds of dollars of equipment to use a pool, so any resident can roll up, pay their $3 and go swim. I used to hit the W&L pool before work or at lunch. But how many people do you think would show up with a track bike ready and able to ride it (safely)?

If Arlington County Parks & Rec somehow has a million dollar surplus one day, then that would be your best avenue, but this has a less than zero chance of being funded by the public school system.

urbanknight

Despite being someone who spent most of his middle school and high school life racing on velodromes, I also fail to see how a velodrome is going to raise enrollment. I knew it then, and I know it now, cycling isn't a "cool" sport.

If any particular school wants to raise enrollment, tell them to start a magnet program to specialize in subjects people might travel from further away to learn. As for the district, the city needs to make living there appealing, not just the schools.

arldavey

https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycling-velodrome-racing-training-area/366495-what-does-velodrome-cost.html rent the bikes like at leigeh , sell off the ones from the season past. costs would be about $10 -20 for a group to ride. Since they alreaad have bicycle riding as a gym class there is alread a built in cross section

urbanknight

There's a velodrome near me that gives FREE bike rentals and FREE racing lessons to children 17 and under, and it still doesn't attract a number that would make a school find attractive. Sorry, you really need to be realistic here.

sstorkel

$190,000,000.00? I hope the desks are gold-plated for that kind of cash...

arldavey

the indooor track/field/football arena could be located inside the velodrome , less costly than an auto shop class to maintain, I suppose it is too much trouble to write a letter better to yell at walkers on the bike trail instead.

Business810

With all due respect, I honestly think letters and opinions from members of the community will hold more sway over a school board than random strangers from the internet.

That said, I also fail to see how this would really help under-enrolled schools - sorry.

arldavey

Fixed that for you,

kraftwerk 

it is a good idea.
Nothings impossible.

arldavey

they are under enrolled because they are on the south side, houses there are 300- 500k , the cool schools are in the 800k + neighborhoods. Get year around activities and help the working families with year around schooling and you will attract more people to those schools. The Velodrome fits into the health ed , currently some schools have no psy ed or 15min a few days a week.

arldavey

stranger thaings have happened

urbanknight

That's not an unheard of figure for a school. I just moved into a new campus we spent $80 million on, and our district spent much more than that on our newest art magnet.


I don't know how old you are, so I'll try not to get offended. As a professional educator, as a cyclist, AND as a person, it would be shameful for me to write a letter stating something I don't believe. If you could show me compelling evidence that a velodrome will attract a high number of new school enrollees, I could be persuaded, but I can think of countless other projects that would be more effective and less expensive. As much as I love velodromes and would leap for joy if they were as common as baseball fields, I have to be realistic. Sorry if that hurts your feelings, but that's reality.

Dubbayoo

Isn't that thing on some grounds that are polluted or Indian land or something?