Grant From AAF Launches Encino Velodrome Fund Drive

The long-awaited renovation of the Encino Velodrome moved a step closer to reality with a recent $158,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation.

The AAF, which among its other functions distributes surplus funds from the 1984 Olympics, is the first organization to respond to the velodrome’s $700,000 fund-raising drive.

Although the Southern California Cycling Federation, which operates the 31-year-old velodrome, has been planning to revamp the facility for years, it was not until last October that a bona fide proposal finally was completed.

The proposal includes architectural renderings that depict a multi-use facility with a resurfaced 250-meter cycling oval, a flat 200-meter speed-skating oval and a three-foot-deep infield pit for roller hockey. Other improvements include a bridge to the infield and locker rooms.

“It would be the only facility of its kind in the country,” said Rick Denman, velodrome vice president and race director.

The AAF money is earmarked specifically for lights. Currently, the lights are on poles around the perimeter of the infield; they will be upgraded and moved outside the track, clearing the infield for other uses.

“The AAF’s intention was to open the door to us to do the other things,” Denman said. “But I’m worried that we won’t raise any more money and all we’ll wind up with is a beautifully lit ugly infield.”

Denman also has presented the proposal to two major manufacturers of in-line skates, hoping to get them to put up funds for the skating venues at the velodrome.

The grant from the AAF helps take away the sting from the U. S. Olympic Committee’s decision not to use the velodrome as a site for this summer’s Olympic Festival. All the cycling will be held at the 7-Eleven Olympic Velodrome at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“We were left out in the cold,” Denman said, adding that festival officials still have not decided whether to use Encino for speed-skating events.

Denman also remains hopeful that the 1992 Olympic cycling trials can be held in Encino, which has one of only two U. S. tracks that are the same size as the track at the Barcelona Olympics.

At the least, however, Denman expects the velodrome to be used for training by Olympic cycling hopefuls.