April 14, 2005 “” It is truly a pleasure for Albert Coulier and I to announce that the riding surface arrived at the Forest City Velodrome at the London Gardens in London, Ontario. The installation started and will take about one week to complete.

“We expect riders to be riding on the track by Thursday, April 21,” says Albert Coulier, the 87-year-old who is spearheading the project. Coulier’s sons, Bob and Ron Schelstrate, have designed and constructed the track to conform to all of the Union Cycliste International’s standards. “The surface will be fast and smooth, every bit as fast as any Olympic velodrome in the world,” explains Coulier. Apollo Construction have built over 25 velodromes around the world in the last 50 years, including the 1976 Montreal Olympic Velodrome.

London, Ontario will soon be the destination of thousands of recreational and racing cyclists from around North America who will experience the thrill of riding on a world-class velodrome. “Programs are in place for children, youth and adults. Paralympic athletes will also be able to ride, train and race at the facility,” says Coulier.

During the opening weekend, a training camp for experienced track riders is being held by the Ontario Cycling Association and supported by the Canadian Cycling Association. Over the coming weeks, we will have many Learn to Ride clinics for cyclists to come out and experience the Velodrome.

The opening night of racing will be Saturday, April 23 at 7:00 pm. Many events are planned for the opener: Handicap and Chariot Races will feature the London Track League riders, and the Detroit-based Nas-Track Madison League also putting on several Madison’s throughout the evening.

Adult admission is $10.00, and is free for children under 15 years old. The Grand Opening is scheduled for the following weekend, Saturday, April 30. The Grand Opening is being run in conjunction with the 37th Annual Springbank Park Road Race put on by the London Centennial Wheelers Cycling Club.

Go to www.ForestCityVelodrome.ca for regular updates and more information.