Where's The Cycling Superdome?
By Sean Stillmaker in News on Apr 17, 2011 6:30PM
The cycling subculture is grand. Chicago is among the most accommodating cities for cyclists, and we've already hosted some of the best racing circuits. So it's no surprise an indoor racing facility has been proposed, but the Chicago Velo Campus is probably much further from fruition than some make it seem.
The proposed location of the Chicago Velo Campus is the old U.S. Steel South Works Plant, which stretches along the lake between 79th and 87th streets. The entire site is supposed to be a major redevelopment equipped with residential high rises, retail and commercial development. Dave Matthews Band (the group that shits on Chicago) will be headlining a three-day concert event this July to start showcasing the site.
Emanuele Bianchi is spearheading the Chicago Velo Campus project and has supposedly received an offer on the land. He compares his idea for it to the United Center. The facility will sport: a 250-meter velodrome track, outdoor and indoor mountain bike tracks, an indoor 400-meter running track, fitness center, Olympic-size swimming pool, with restaurants, shops, a cycling museum and a community center.
The United Center cost $175 million, with a wealthy family footing the bills. Bianchi estimates the velodrome to cost $40 million. It'll probably costs much more when you factor in unforeseen construction obstacles and whose campaign fund he has to donate too.
He's projecting construction to start in 2013 with an outdoor track opening on the site this summer. The plan is magnificent, a great idea and I love people accomplishing the American Dream (Bianchi is an Italian immigrant who came stateside in 2004).
But the biggest obstacle is, where's the money? Sponsors are not lining up, donations are not pouring in, and this economy has everything in limbo. Mayor Marty Moylan of Des Plaines announced the city wants a velodrome. With the mayor spearheading the project and the impending influx of casino money, Des Plaines could pedal past Chicago.