Velodrome to Get Surplus Funds From Olympics

A share of the slightly more than $225 million in surplus funds from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games will be used to put the Encino Velodrome back on track.

The Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles, the organization charged with disbursing Southern California’s $90-million share of the surplus, has granted $150,000 to the area’s two velodromes, the Encino facility and the one at Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson.

A larger share of the allotment is going to the Encino facility because of its shabby condition, but the exact amount has yet to be determined.

“It’s almost going to be a brand-new facility,” said Keith Cruckshank, foundation spokesman. “We want it to again be an attractive place that youngsters would want to come to. It has a lot of character and charm.”

But not a lot of money.

Although the 26-year-old velodrome features 21 to 26 racing events a year, it’s annual $25,000 operating budget, secured basically from rider fees, admission charges to spectators and profits from a snack shop, never left any money for capital improvements.

“It was never funded properly for an Olympic venue,” said Jo-Ann Ray, a member of the Encino facility’s board of directors. “We would call the infield ‘the tundra.’ It was more yellow than green, and had more gophers than grass. The sunset over the track was so magnificent, but it was so sad to see the facilities around it crumbling.

“Then a miracle happened. The AAF stepped in and said it would help. “

That help is quite extensive. The improvement work, which began two weeks ago, includes renovation of the infield, seating areas, lighting system and the announcing booth, new fencing, a paint job, a new apron around the track and new storage areas for equipment.

A youth cycling development program has been created and 50 new bicycles as well as new helmets and gloves are being supplied.

The youth program, sponsored by the foundation, will be run in conjunction with the Southern California Cycling Federation, which elects the Encino facility’s board of directors. The program will be conducted at both velodromes in two four-week sessions, from April 13 to June 13.

Fifteen instructors will be hired by the AAF and they will be aided by adult volunteers. Boys and girls, ages 10-17, are eligible free of charge. They will be taught everything from street safety and emergency maneuvers to the aerodynamics of cycling.

“After these sessions, we will assess the future of the program,” said Cruckshank, the project director. “We would like to see it go on and perhaps incorporate the velodrome in San Diego as well.

“As part of their commitment to what we are doing, we would like to see the Encino facility regularly establish training periods in the evenings for cyclists and prepare cyclists for future competition.”