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Calgary Velodrome Faces Potential Demolition for Water Treatment Plant Expansion
With a legacy of hosting Olympic and Paralympic athletes among others, the Calgary Velodrome, a critical training ground for cyclists, may soon be dismantled as the city plans an expansion of the Glenmore water treatment plant. This development raises concerns about the future of cycling facilities in Calgary, especially for the Calgary Bicycle Track League (CBTL), which utilizes this 50-year-old track.
The Calgary Velodrome has been a cornerstone for the CBTL and has hosted multiple athletes who have represented Canada on the international stage. However, the land on which the velodrome sits is leased from the city, and recent communications indicate that this lease will conclude in October 2026 to facilitate the plant’s expansion.
Erin Ruttan, president of the CBTL, acknowledged the city’s immediate need for water infrastructure, emphasizing, “Our committee understands that water is super important and that’s going to come first. It’s critical infrastructure. But surely there’s got to be a way we can figure it out so we’re not losing infrastructure that’s also critical to the sport.”
As discussions regarding a potential new location for a velodrome begin, Ruttan expressed concerns regarding the timeline involved in relocating and constructing a new facility. The nearest cycling track is located in Edmonton, a substantial distance of approximately 300 kilometers away, highlighting the scarcity of such facilities in Canada where only seven exist in total.
Risks of Losing a Cycling Hub
If the Calgary Velodrome is demolished without a replacement in place, many competitive cyclists may be forced to leave Calgary, with some potentially exiting the sport entirely, diminishing the city’s sporting legacy. Ruttan cited the importance of accessible sports facilities in retaining athletes, saying, “I know a lot of people are here because of the access to sport facilities. So it’s definitely a risk if we do lose the facility.”
Discussions about the future of the velodrome have indicated that a long-term development plan for the surrounding area included the potential for a new indoor velodrome. However, given Calgary’s rapid population growth and changes in local infrastructure needs, Ruttan stated that this previous plan is now “no longer relevant.”
City’s Response to Concerns
In a response to concerns from the CBTL, the City of Calgary underscored the necessity of the water treatment plant expansion to accommodate a growing population and increasing water consumption. The city’s statement emphasized the administration’s awareness of the impact this project may have on local user groups and reiterated their commitment to finding solutions that can mitigate negative outcomes.
This expansion is anticipated to influence various local amenities, including the Glenmore athletic park and Safety City, which provides safety education for children. There is potential for the city to integrate the construction of a new velodrome within its proposed GAMEplan recreational initiative, which aims to allocate $250 million annually for new recreational facilities across Calgary, contingent upon council approval.
Ruttan, speaking ahead of a public meeting concerning the GAMEplan proposal, remains optimistic that a compromise can be reached. She articulated that a new velodrome does not need to be elaborate but should at minimum serve as a facility for the cycling community. The ideal scenario, as Ruttan envisions, would involve delaying the water treatment plant expansion to allow sufficient time to secure a new location for the velodrome—ideally until 2028.
As these discussions unfold, the future of the Calgary Velodrome and its role in the local athletic community hangs in the balance, spotlighting the challenge of balancing infrastructure demands with the preservation of community sports facilities.
Source
globalnews.ca