Velodrome plans in limbo

While the Marian College cycling team has been off this month hunting national championships in Colorado, a plan by school officials to manage the Major Taylor Velodrome has not yet won support from Indy Parks.

Marian College officials in December forwarded a plan to manage the facility, which included upgrading the locker rooms, concession areas and other infrastructure, and marketing the facility regionally and nationally to bring well-known track cycling events to the facility. The school also proposed starting a weekday circuit race series on the streets and paved trails around the Velodrome and using the city’s trail network to the Velodrome to make it more of a destination for commuters and other cycling aficionados.

Marian’s plan also included enhancing off-road riding infrastructure for BMX, mountain and cyclecross bikes, as well as a two-mile perimeter loop for walking, running and leisure riding.

"Marian continues to be a potential partner," said Paula Freund, Indy Parks spokeswoman.

But Freund added that "several" organizations are interested in partnering with the city and making "significant investment to the Velodrome."

Indy Parks officials are issuing a request for information to gather a "broad spectrum of ideas and input" about the sports complex and a request for proposals from companies and other organizations interested in operating the Velodrome.

Marian officials had hoped to launch enhanced programming at the Velodrome this spring and summer. Those plans are now on hold. Freund said the Velodrome facility needs "$750,000 just to bring it up to standard." Indy Parks officials have now set a fall deadline to have the future of the Velodrome and nearby Lake Sullivan Sports Complex mapped out, she added.