Velodrome Planned for Midtown Park
New foundation to build, fund multi-sports complex for Detroit youth, seniors.
When the Detroit kids pedal their first lap on the planned velodrome perhaps as early as this summer, they’ll be riding toward some lofty goals.
“Right from this facility, an Olympic athlete will come from here,” says Detroit Council Member Mary Sheffield.
She was part of the event announcing a $4 million indoor multi-sport complex to be built at Tolan Field, which is located on Mack Avenue between the Detroit Medical Center and I-75.
The Detroit Fitness Foundation, a nonprofit incorporated last year, according to state records, will own and operate the facility under an six-year agreement with the city. The foundation also is putting $125,000 toward improving the existing outdoor recreation areas at Tolan.
“Our mission is to reach and motivate our youth in mind and body and doing that in sport. We want to be able to provide national support for those youth so they can go to the national championships, so they can travel internationally, so they can make it to the Olympic Games,” says Dale Hughes, the foundation’s executive director.
The site plans include a structure with a bubble-like air roof and a track for walking, running and skating around a velodrome track with a spectator area. The agreement also has the foundation providing eight hours a day of free fitness classes and education. Fees for using the center will be similar to other Detroit recreation facilities’.
“The conversation when we started was ‘What’s a velodrome?’ and by the time we got to the end of the conversation, the conversation was ‘When’s it opening and can I work there, where can I get a bike?’ There’s excitement brewing,” says Vince Keenan, the city’s district manager for the area where Tolan Field is located.
The city has an outdoor velodrome located on the northeast side, but this will be an indoor, year-round track that will be maintained. The complex also will have programming, coaching, instruction and competitions.
“What is great for me is that at the center of this is a desire to bring an expanded menu of athletic options to Detroit’s youth. This means a lot,” says Maurice Cox, the city’s planning director, who is a regular bike rider. “I am thrilled that young people are going to be introduced to a sport that they might never have otherwise known.”
Myrna Capela lives in the neighborhood, and her son Jackson is a cyclist. She says the complex will offer new sports opportunities for residents, especially the younger ones.
“A lot of the kids don’t get to get out of the city or have an experience like this,” she says.
