19 Dec 2004
This past week The City Paper reported on plans for Metro Parks to soon begin construction on a Regional Sports Complex. The complex would be located near the airport and would attract regional and national tournament events for sports such as soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, in-line hockey and skate park. Having a sports complex of this size would boost tourism and bring attention to our city as a center for sports competition.
NashvilleCyclist strongly supports this project, but we point out an obvious missing piece and recommend its inclusion: a velodrome.
The main contacts mentioned in the article are Metro Councilman Charlie Tygard, Metro Parks Planning Superintendent Curt Carrigan and Metro Parks Director Roy Wilson. Each of these people obviously have significant influence on the direction of this sports complex. We encourage all NashvilleCyclist readers to contact each of these decision makers and ask them to include a velodrome at the complex. This is a wonderful opportunity to make an impact on the bicycling community here in Nashville, and to bring positive attention to our great city through the bike.
To arm yourself with valuable points of emphasis look no further than the Metro Parks Master Plan. Specifically read Chapter 3 Assessment of Needs to learn about state and national recreational trends. The Master Plan points out the activity increase in mountain biking by 9.5% from 1995-1999, which was the largest increase of all recreational activities during that time. While mountain biking ranked 19th overall as of 1999 it does not come close to the 3rd highest ranked recreational activity of the 1990s, road cycling.
Everyone should read Table 3.1 and Table 3.2 located within Chapter 3 of the Master Plan. This information plainly points out how far ahead bicycling is when compared to soccer, baseball, softball and basketball. The only activities to beat out bicycling were walking at number one, and swimming at number two. Of all the traditional sports activities basketball is the only one to crack the top 10, barely, at number 9. Baseball ranked 18th, softball ranked 20th, soccer ranked 21st, and volleyball trailing back at 23rd. Bowling and billiards ranked higher at 7th and 8th, respectively.
The goal of Metro Parks and the Metro Tourism Committee is to attract out-of-state competitors and spectators. A velodrome would certainly achieve this goal based upon the current market trends. Moreover, it would provide the local community a great opportunity to build upon its growing cycling base. However, disappointment can be found in Table 3.5 of the priorities of the Master Plan. Fortunately a high priority is placed on Greenways and medium priority placed on Bicycle Trails, but sadly a velodrome does not register as a priority under facilities.
The reason for this goose egg is because Metro has not heard the voices of those who see the need. The subject of Greenways garnered the second most comments at 9.1% during public meetings behind preservation and conservation concerns at 10.2%. From a cycling perspective this means our desire for Greenway growth is at the top of the list for activities, but we forgot to mention the desire for a velodrome as seen in the facilities comments. Obviously Metro listens and acts based upon comments made at public meetings since Greenways are exploding and soccer fields are planned to dominate the new sports complex.
It would appear to NashvilleCyclist that any regional sports complex being developed would include those activities that are proven to attract a high number of participants. Not only does track cycling attract a high number of participants, but spectators are drawn to the speed and action found on the track. Oval tracks that are 250 to 333 meters long and 28 degree bankings provide for exciting NASCAR type action.
Currently there are only approximately 20 permanent velodrome facilities in the United States. The closest velodrome in the Southeast is the Dick Lane Velodrome located in Atlanta, but currently it is under reconstruction. The next closest velodromes are located in Indianapolis, Baton Rouge and Ft. Lauderdale. These significant distances should help and encourage Nashville to become the 21st velodrome in the United States.
Lastly, the most encouraging comment of the article was from Metro Parks Director Roy Wilson, "We are discussing [the Regional Sports Complex], it is just that the decisions haven't been made on what we are going to do and when." All cyclists in Tennessee should utilize this information wisely and professionally to voice your support for a velodrome in Nashville.
Contact Metro Parks decision makers by calling the main office at 615.862.8400, or via email below:
Roy Wilson - Director
Curt Carrigan - Planning
Superintendent
Metro Council members and decision makers on the Convention and
Tourism Committee are:
Charlie Tygard
District 35 Council Representative
Official Council Website for Mr. Tygard
Email - charlie.tygard@nashville.gov
Office Phone - 615.865.0003
Home Phone - 615.646.3295
Adam Dread - Chair
Sam Coleman
Buck Dozier - Vice Chair
Eric Crafton
Brenda Gilmore
Mike Jameson
Lynn Williams
Read the entire article online courtesy The City Paper at Sports Facility On Books.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact us at NashvilleCyclist.com.