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Velodrome Will Stay Open After Raising $10,000, But More Help Still Needed

By Sam Cholke | October 16, 2015 7:19pm
 The South Chicago Velodrome hit its fundraising goal and will remain open for Open House Chicago.
The South Chicago Velodrome hit its fundraising goal and will remain open for Open House Chicago.
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South Chicago Velodrome Association

HYDE PARK — The South Chicago Velodrome met its fundraising goal Thursday and will remain open, but is still less than halfway to its goal to pay off the loan for the track.

Marcus Moore, president of the South Chicago Velodrome Association, said Friday that the group raised $10,019 to pay off its insurance bill and is now getting ready to open the gates to the public for Open House Chicago events all weekend.

“This weekend we’ll be socializing, riding, cooking, eating, doing some work,” Moore said. “Everyone’s invited and it’s free.”

The group of cyclists are working to keep open the bowled wooden racing track at 8615 S. Burley Ave. after saving it from demolition in May.

Moore said the group has paid off $39,000 on the track’s lease, more than a third of the total balance, and has completed 85 percent of needed repairs to the track.

“We’re continuing to reach milestones,” Moore said. “We’re looking toward the ‘off-season’ months to be the richest we’ve experienced.”

He said fundraising would ramp up during the winter months with a winter banquet planned for November and grant writing and a search for sponsors starting in earnest during the off-season.

Moore said the group is still looking for donations and for volunteers who can help write grants, run the track and help with maintenance and painting murals.

For more information or to volunteer or donate, visit Chicagovelodrome.com.

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