Racing can continue (for now) at Alpenrose Dairy, despite sale

This weekend the 50 acres of land around Alpenrose Dairy in Portland’s southwest hills will be teeming with cyclocross racers and fans. The hills, kitschy village, and velodrome have provided a route for the kickoff event of the River City Bicycles Cyclocross Crusade for many years. This year a dark cloud has hung over Alpenrose as race organizers worried that a sale of the dairy would result in them being kicked out for good.

Thankfully, that sad fate has been avoided. But the future is still uncertain, and racing fans still shouldn’t take the venue for granted.

As The Oregonian reported last month, the board of Alpenrose Dairy has finalized a sale to a company based in Seattle. The board’s vote came after a Multnomah County judge heard a lawsuit between family owners of Alpenrose Dairy who fought over the sale. The judge ruled that the sale to Seattle-based Smith Brothers Farms will be allowed to go through; but he also admonished both sides and encouraged mediation.

A key issue in the fight over the dairy’s future is what will happen to the acreage adjacent the dairy operations where many community events – including cyclocross and track racing — take place. Last Oregon Bicycle Racing Association Executive Director Chuck Kenlan said if the sale to Seattle-based Smith Brothers Farms went through it could have a “profound impact” on the organization.

“If the court rules in favor of the majority that wants to sell to Smith Brothers,” Kenlan said, “we could be asked to leave immediately.”

So far, that’s not happening. Smith Brothers Farms CEO Dustin Highland told us in a statement that their acquisition of Alpenrose, “Does not in any way involve the vast acreage on Shattuck Road.” “That land will remain under its current ownership” he said, “it will have no effect on the continued use of the property by its current owners for cycling, softball, and other sports and community activities.”

In a statement made after the Judge’s ruling, Highland reiterated that he wants to, “Be actively engaged with the community that has supported Alpenrose over the decades.” “From day one,” he said, clearly hoping to address OBRA’s concerns, “we were attracted to Alpenrose because of its commitment to its community. That hasn’t changed.”

Representatives from OBRA say they plan to meet with Smith Brothers this week. “We are excited about developing a strong relationship and friendship with the dairy business’ new owners,” they posted on the OBRA Facebook page.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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