Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Reopened South Chicago Velodrome Again Fighting Against Closure

By Sam Cholke | October 6, 2015 5:49am
 The South Chicago Velodrome is trying to raise $3,500 by Oct. 8 to keep its insurance policy.
The South Chicago Velodrome is trying to raise $3,500 by Oct. 8 to keep its insurance policy.
View Full Caption
South Chicago Velodrome Association

HYDE PARK — Bike racers have barely been back on the boards and the South Chicago Velodrome is already in trouble.

After saving the bowled wooden bike-racing track from demolition in May, organizers are now trying get its insurance policy paid by Oct. 8.

“We are currently at a crossroads for the future of the velodrome,” said Marcus Moore president of South Chicago Velodrome Association on the group’s website. “While surface repairs are about 85 percent complete and ‘casual riding’ is taking place, we must raise $3,500 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 for our insurance policy payment.”

Moore is asking supporters to give even a small amount or donate again if they are able.

“If our insurance is canceled, we will be required to vacate the premises and the track itself could be repossessed,” Moore said. “We have made great progress in recent months, including the addition of new members to our board and the completion of our 501c3 application allowing new avenues of fundraising in the future, but we are still at a moment of crisis.”

Moore led a six-month effort to save the velodrome, 8615 S. Burley Ave., after the original owner walked away and the company that had built it was threatening to come take it back.

In May, Moore convinced the company that had built the track, V-Worldwide, to lease the physical velodrome structure.

Moore and the racers at the track are still in midst of an ongoing fundraising effort to get $150,000 to finish paying off the track.

As of Monday evening, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $36,153 in the last seven months.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: