Salem velodrome proposal could mean track events by summer ’08

An architect has submitted a proposal to
build a velodrome inside this building
on the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.
(Photo courtesy Oregon State Fair)

Back in September I shared the news about a potential new indoor velodrome coming to the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.

Now it seems like plans are moving forward and Oregon just might host bicycle track racing at the State Fair as early as this summer. Steve Brown, a track racer and head of Portland Velodrome, says noted velodrome architect Peter Junek has submitted a proposal to Oregon State Parks for the construction of a portable velodrome inside the Pavillion Building on the State Fairgrounds.

A schematic of the proposed velodrome. The proposal calls for using velodrome-specific plywood made in Oregon.

Velodrome architect Peter Junek sent me this photo of a track in Ghent that is similar to the one he’s proposing in Salem.

According to Brown, Junek’s proposal calls for the new track to be completed in time for a Six Day race at the State Fair during the last week of August 2008. Brown says the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) is also proposing a 5-6 date racing series leading up US National Elite Championships and following in preparation for the first World Cup event.

Director of Oregon
State Parks, Tim Wood.
(Photo © Jonathan Maus)

If plans for this velodrome succeed, Oregon would instantly become a destination for national and international caliber racing and it could provide the momentum for similar velodromes to be built in other cities around the state (like Portland!).

Junek’s proposal will be submitted to Tim Woods, the Director of Oregon State Parks next week. Following the submission of the proposal, Woods will meet with Brown and OBRA officials to review the proposal and discuss the next steps.

Stay tuned for more developments.