SOUTH CHICAGO — After another month teetering on the brink of closure, the South Chicago Velodrome has raised enough money to keep going into the first warm bicycle riding months.
Marcus Moore, president of the South Chicago Velodrome Association, said the bowled bike racing track at 8615 S. Burley Ave. raised the money it needed to cover its insurance premiums for the next month.
The volunteer effort to revive the track has struggled over the last year to keep donations coming in and keep the track open for sustained periods to build up a culture of riders at the track.
The track is facing a $30,000-a-year bill for insurance along with rent payments for the track and the property it sits on, which is owned by U.S. Steel.
“One of our 2016 goals is to find another path that will lead to future sustainability,” Moore said.
Now that the weather is warming up again, the track is renewing its push to build cycling leagues at high schools in South Chicago.
Moore said the track will be holding town hall meetings in the future about how to better partner with the community and long-term solutions for keeping the track open.
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