August 14, 2018 (Montreal, QC) – Since the demolition of the Montreal velodrome in 1989, the cycling community in Quebec has been mourning the loss of an indoor velodrome. Several initiatives have tried to revive it from the ashes, whether in the city or elsewhere in Quebec, but without success… until now. It is therefore with great enthusiasm and gratitude that the Quebec Federation of Cycling Sports (FQSC) welcomes the announcement from the Government of Quebec.

Thanks to an investment of more than 4.5 million, the National Cycling Center Bromont (CNCB) will finally be given a roof. In addition to being able to extend its period of activity, the velodrome will offer optimal conditions to the athletes who train there.

“With the World Cup events and the World Track Championships being held between November and April since 2005, Quebec cyclists were at a distinct disadvantage. And that is not counting the rain, which limited the days of training on the track to about 70 per year. With an indoor velodrome, they will be able to train on the track all year long, without having to go outside Quebec, as is currently the case,” said André Michaud, president of the FQSC.

Doing a Lot with a Little
Since taking on the position of Executive Director of CNCB in 2012, Nicolas Legault has invested himself wholeheartedly. With limited resources, but an overwhelming passion and valuable volunteers, he has worked miracles and carried out an ambitious project. After redoubling efforts and ingenuity to extend the life of the track surface, he had to face the facts – the Velodrome was not made to face the harsh winters of the province.

Talent to Spare
Even if several track athletes from Quebec have made their way onto the national team, it is well-known that an outdoor velodrome was not enough for these athletes to compete on a level playing field with the world’s elite. Several athletes have, over the years, demonstrated great potential on the oval but failed to benefit from adapted infrastructure or had to travel to locations where these facilities exist. Some athletes even decided to leave the track all together. Given the long winter season in Canada, all can understand why an indoor velodrome is not a luxury, but a necessity.

“Quebec is full of cycling talent. We see it particularly in road cycling, mountain biking and paracycling, where Quebec is the undisputed leader on the national scene. With the arrival of an indoor velodrome, there is no doubt that Quebec will also perform in track cycling, a discipline where we are already well represented. We only have to think of Olympians Hugo Barrette and Kirsti Lay, or other emerging athletes like Ariane Bonhomme, Laurie Jussaume, Lauriane Genest, Tristan Guillemette, Thierry Kirouac-Marcassa, Joel Archambault, Patric St-Louis Pivin and Gabriel Drapeau-Zgoralski. They are all athletes who are part of the national team programs and who made their debut or were developed at the Bromont velodrome,” added Michaud.

The Story of a Big Dream
Established on January 20, 1997, the CNCB, was not inaugurated in its current form, until June 11, 2001, after the 250-meter track used at the Atlanta Games was moved to Bromont. Four years passed between the first sketches of the project and its success. It must be said that it was a major undertaking.

Inspired by the model that has proven itself in various cycling nations, including France and Australia, Canada also wanted to develop an infrastructure dedicated to the development of the discipline in the country. However, given the size of the territory it services, two National Strategic Centers were set up, one in Victoria (Western Canada) and one in Bromont (Eastern Canada).

The support of several organizations and groups was obviously necessary. The combined efforts of Cycling Canada, the FQSC, the City of Bromont, the Bromont Sports Club and the Bromont Ski Resort have made it possible to go from a simple sketch to a complex in the making. With the grant of $ 1.9 million by the Government of Quebec on May 12, 2000, the whole thing got under way; which included a velodrome and a facility to lodge the athletes plus other sports. The new facility is expected to be completed in late 2019 or early 2020.

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