May 14, 2011 (Burlington, ON) – The 2011 National Road Championships are scheduled in Burlington, Ont., June 23-26, but the event is suffering from last minute woes as some individual races are now being out-sourced to other venues reports Inside Halton News. The same trend is true for the paracycling and masters road events scheduled for June 30-July 3. All of this puts the staging of the Nationals in Burlington in question.

The July 1 Canada Day criterium has now been relocated to Toronto and other events that have been moved outside the Burlington-Halton area include the June 23 Elite TT and the June 30 Masters Time Trial. Two other major road cycling events, however remain scheduled in Burlington.

Race director, Craig Fagan, with the Midweek Cycling Club, explains that moving the Canada Day criterium was necessitated by surging policing costs at the event. While original estimates put these costs at about $75,000, more recent estimates from the police are closer to $110,000.

While events such as the June 25 Rattlesnake Point Elite Road Race and the July 3 Snake Road /Waterdown Road Race remain on track in the Burlington area, a May 5 memorandum to the Mayor and council now questions that city’s continued support for the remaining events.

“In consideration of the foregoing developments, and the relocation of 60% of the races originally scheduled for Burlington; questions surrounding the status of City of Burlington funding and support are being considered. Specifically, is the support still warranted? Staff will be present at Committee for further discussion,” concludes the memo signed by Karen Sabzali, Manager of Community Development and John Crass, Manager of Traffic Services.

A May 4 letter from Greg Mathieu, Executive Director, Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) and from Jim Crosscombe, Executive Director, Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) to Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring describes policing costs as making certain events ‘untenable’, but suggests that, “all other events and promotion of Burlington as host city remain unchanged and are in fact strengthened by this decision, which was carefully considered. We will continue to work with our partners in this event to promote Burlington as a cycling tourism location.”

The remaining events include: two road races at Rattlesnake Point and Aldershot-Waterdown; Challenge Ride 180; Bicycle Parade; VIP Pre Canadian Road Cycling Championships Reception; Post Challenge receptions; media coverage – all stating Burlington as host city; and all promotional materials and advertising promoting Burlington.

“We continue to look forward to promoting Burlington as the event location and host city of a successful and financially responsible Canadian Road Cycling Championships. I am available at your convenience to discuss any concerns you may and continue to work towards delivering an exceptional event of national prominence,” concluded Mathieu.

The Canada Day U19 and masters’ criterium has been moved to Toronto to coincide with the CHIN picnic races. The June 23 Elite TT and the June 30 Masters Time Trial events are being relocated to the Belfountain Conservation Area in the Region of Peel.

Read more in Halton News here.

City of Burlington memo here.