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Tell that to this same town council who voted in a last-minute hospital tax grab levy, payable by us through property tax increases.

Rick, I don’t think you understood what Sandeep was trying to say. He said “Imagine” if this generated a profit. Like we tell our kids to imagine santa clause bringing presents.

For example; Imagine, if after this is built and the town goes broke trying to cover the maintenance, the region buys it as a landfill, saving the taxpayers millions and eliminating the new bag tax.

It’s never going to happen, but just imagine how nice that would be.

I try to get out to the London track one day each weekend over the winter season. If anyone here would like to visit the London velodrome in person you are welcome to join me and see for yourself. Send me a PM if you are interested.

If you want to ride on the track in London you can take the "Track 1" coarse that cost $20 plus $10 for the bike rental. This includes 2 1/2 hours of training and track riding. They used to offer this coarse once a week but the current demand is so high that they are now offering it three times a week.

You can get all of the information here: http://www.forestcityvelodrome.ca

-dan

Pretty sure the London one isn't the correct size for international competition - it's too small, IIRC.

Does anyone in Milton require a Velodrome suitable for international competition? Why does that matter to a recreational cyclist? How does an international sized Velodrome improve the lives of Milton residents?

Actually the size of the track in Milton will be bigger - it's a much better facility than what currently exists in London. The one in Milton will be comparable to the one in Los Angeles, which is where the current Canadian team trains. I still hate it though.

I think the velodrome is stupid and I don't want it either.

The bottom line is this. The Pan-AM games are coming. The federal government is spending a lot of money. They were building a velodrome somewhere, and were committed to paying a huge chunk of change for it. Milton's councilors felt that this was a good opportunity to get something relatively cheap that would:
a) Make Milton more popular for people other than just a place to sleep at night.
b) Get something that could potentially make money that the feds pay a large part for.
c) Please Peter Gilgan.

How do you get a hotel built somewhere?

Hotels don't want to build a new location where there is no reason for people to go.
You're suggesting people don't want to go anywhere that hotels don't exist.

I know that when I play in hockey tournaments, there are some arenas that are a good 10-20 minute drive from our hotel. This isn't a big deal. You don't need to sleep next door to something.

Getting things to draw people to work and play in Milton is the first step in getting some hotels built. The Boyne business village project or whatever it's called is supposed to help with this as well - thing is, companies don't want to put their big offices where there aren't any hotels...

It's all very complicated. We're not supposed to ask questions. In the end it all boils down to having a full transit system.

How do you get a hotel built somewhere?

Hotels don't want to build a new location where there is no reason for people to go.
You're suggesting people don't want to go anywhere that hotels don't exist.

I know that when I play in hockey tournaments, there are some arenas that are a good 10-20 minute drive from our hotel. This isn't a big deal. You don't need to sleep next door to something.

Getting things to draw people to work and play in Milton is the first step in getting some hotels built. The Boyne business village project or whatever it's called is supposed to help with this as well - thing is, companies don't want to put their big offices where there aren't any hotels...

It's all very complicated. We're not supposed to ask questions. In the end it all boils down to having a full transit system.

There is no market for hotels in Milton. There is no reason to come here other than our private buses.

How weird would it be for a family member to visit your newborn and then go stay at a hotel at night?

Once sh*t gets built up around here, hotels will come. Milton is still in early Monopoly mode, where they're still getting their act together on N. Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Pacific Avenues. Once they finish developing, they can start putting up those hotels and get to making some serious $$$$$.

I realize our Velodrome will be much better but in the end who really cares other than a small intrest group. My whole arguement has been that the Velodrome caters to the minority, not the masses. If Milton were well established and its infrastructure was sufficient for the growth we've experienced, then ya, go nuts with pet projects like this but we're not there quite yet.

I could care less how great its going to be. Then to find out there is a Velodrome in London that is more than sufficient for the average, hobbyist cyclist.....it just makes me wonder why.

If that is your whole argument, then please define a minority.

You and so many people are out of touch with reality on participation rates for ALL sports or activities because EVERY ONE of them appeals to a minority. The most popular sport, golf, appeals to about 20 to 21% of the population, far below a majority of 51%. Hockey and all other sports are well below that.

So by your logic no recreational facility should ever be built with public money. Just sayin'.