Westshore Velodrome Explained

Logo Image:GVVA_Logo.jpg
Stadium Name:The Westshore Velodrome
Location:1767 Island Hwy, Victoria, British Columbia
Owner:City of Colwood
Built:1993-1994
Opened:1994
Cost:$2 million CAD
Tenants:Greater Victoria Velodrome Association
Dimensions:333m oval
Website:http://www.gvva.bc.ca/

The Westshore Velodrome is a 333m outdoor bicycle racing track located in Colwood, B.C., and one of only two velodromes in British Columbia. It is part of the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, and is operated by the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association. The GVVA was founded in 1991.[1] The velodrome was commissioned for the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and constructed for approximately $2 million.[2] The track was designed to be used by the public after the Games, which is why the banking in the corners is less than might be found on tracks primarily intended for competition.[3]

Stuart Peter O'Grady set a Commonwealth Games record in the 10-mile scratch race with a time of 18:50.520[4]

In 2005, the velodrome was the host for the American Velodrome Challenge and the BC Provincial Track Championships.[5]

The velodrome had some financial troubles immediately following the games, and sat in disuse until re-opening in the 2000s.[6] Prior to 2008, the track was operated by the Westshore Parks and Recreation Society.[2] It was reopened on July 29, 2011.[1] In 2008, the mayor of Colwood voted to close the velodrome for good. It had been used prior to this for training local athletes, such as Ryder Hesjedal, but the cost of repairs to the infield were prohibitive.[7] The repairs to the infield were completed in April, 2015, and an artificial turf field was installed.[8] Olympic and World Championship medalist Gillian Carleton cites the opening of the velodrome as key to the beginning of her cycle racing career.[9]

The newly reopened track hosted the 2011[10] and 2012 BC Track Championships.[11]

If needed, the track could be used during the competition at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[12] [13]

Major competitions hosted

YearDateEventLevel
2017August 18–20BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2017June 16–17Trackfest 1Regional
2015August 28–31BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2015June 20–21, August 28–31Trackfest 1 & 2Regional
2014June 20–22, August 22–24Trackfest 1 & 2Regional
2013June 29–30, August 3–4Trackfest 1 & 2Regional
2013BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2012Trackfest 1 & 2Regional
2012BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2011BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2005BC Provincial Track ChampionshipsRegional
2004Canadian ChampionshipsNational
2004American Velodrome ChallengeContinental
1998Canadian ChampionshipsNational
1998May 29–31UCI World Cup IIInternational
1996Canadian ChampionshipsNational
1995Canada Cup FinalsNational
1994August 18–28Commonwealth GamesInternational

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Canadian Cyclist - Grand Re-opening of Commonwealth Legacy Velodrome. canadiancyclist.com.
  2. Web site: Canada.Com Homepage Canada.Com.
  3. Web site: MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL. City of Colwood. 28 March 2015.
  4. Web site: Commonwealth Games Federation - Commonwealth Games Records by Games. thecgf.com.
  5. Web site: CycleVancouverIsland.ca V.I.C.T.A. Newsletters. cyclevancouverisland.ca.
  6. Web site: 15 ways the Commonwealth Games changed us.
  7. News: Colwood seeks share of '94 Games legacy funding. The Globe and Mail. 26 August 2010. Clarke. Brennan.
  8. Web site: Cooper. Michael. Turf Installation is Under Way. Greater Victoria Velodrome Association. Greater Victoria Velodrome Association. 10 May 2015.
  9. Web site: Get to Know Me. Gillian Carleton.
  10. Web site: 2011 BC Track Championships. tumblr.com.
  11. Web site: Stuckylife - 2014 : August 2012. Parker Bloom. stuckylife.com.
  12. Web site: PressReader - Connecting People Through News. PressReader.
  13. News: Victoria to bid for 2022 Commonwealth Games. Petrescu. Sarah. Times Colonist. 2017-06-13.