December 09, 2014 (Bromont, QC) – The Centre National de Cyclisme de Bromont (CNCB), a 250-metre outdoor velodrome in southwestern Quebec, may soon be covered with a roof. At least, that is what CNCB Director Nicolas Legault wants to see.

“We made a request for a feasibility study to look at a roof,” explained the Legault. “That request has been approved by the local municipality (Bromont); next we are submitting the request to the MRC (regional government). We hope to have a response early in 2015; the study should cost between $15,000 and $25,000. It will give us a clear view of options regarding a roof.”

Legault believes that track cycling is very popular in Quebec; he had 150 cyclists registered for a recent championship. He also pointed to the general popularity of cycling in la Belle Province – some studies point to over 40% of Quebec’s adult population riding bikes. But the weather is a limiting factor with an outdoor velodrome.

“Bromont is a good location for a velodrome; it is close to Montreal and reasonably central for much of the rest of Quebec.” He also joked that urban sprawl is making Bromont even closer to Montreal.

Legault describes his vision as being quite modest compared to the recently-completed Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, ON, built for the 2015 Pan American Games at a cost of $56 million. “Unlike Milton, Bromont would not draw many international cyclists; instead we will be a regional or provincial venue.”

As reported earlier, another proposed sporting complex in Edmonton, AB-that includes a 250m interior velodrome-has been projected to cost $112 million and be finished by 2020. This Edmonton facility will be needed if that city wins its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

While no future international sporting event is mentioned to justify upgrading the Bromont velodrome, the Bromont facility has a glorious past. The same oval was used at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, bought by the CNCB, and moved to Bromont. The CNCB velodrome has been the only one in Quebec since the dismantling of a velodrome in Quebec City in 2007.

Legault also said that the cycling world in Quebec seems receptive to the covered velodrome and a well-known businessman already offered to put in the first $100,000 if community funding is required. Such community funding played a key role in Milton and is expected to do the same in Edmonton.

There are currently nine velodromes in Canada, only three of which are interior ovals:

Canada’s velodromes:
– Argyll Velodrome, Edmonton, AB (333m outdoor),
– Bromont Velodrome, Bromont, QC (250m outdoor)
– Burnaby Velodrome, Burnaby, BC (200m indoor)
– Forest City Velodrome, London, ON (138m indoor)
– Glenmore Velodrome, Calgary, AB (400m outdoor)
– Juan de Fuca, Colwood (near Victoria), BC (333m outdoor)
– Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Milton, ON (250m indoor)
– Vélodrome Caisse Populaire de Dieppe, Dieppe (near Moncton), NB (250m outdoor)
– Win-Del Park (Delhi Velodrome), Windham Centre, ON (250m outdoor)

Keep tuned to Pedal for more developments.