Houston, we have a problem...

Quoted post said:

http://www.houstontx.gov/alkekvelodrome/GHCFQuestions.htm

Waterspouts and all, my alma mater. Sounds like it's being ditched
instead of repaired. --D-y

Great. Like the US has enough velodromes that we can afford to lose
one.

R

I'd donate but only if Kathy Volski were no longer involved in any way.

Kathy once decided to only allow training from noon till 4pm in August
(keep in mind this Houston). She also decided to switch the weekly
series from Sat to Friday. That effectively killed participation by
riders from Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio who could not get
there after work on a Friday. She does not bother to clean off the moss
that grows in the water seeps. Ever hit moss on a bike at speed? Its a
wonder someone has not sued her for gross negligence.

Does the facility have a real bathroom yet or only a portapotty that
kids turn over regularly? She's had nearly 20 years to get that into a
budget. One season the portapotty got rolled over and then she just had
someone set it up straight again. Didn't even bother to get a clean one.
Nice...

Jim

Quoted message said:

http://www.houstontx.gov/alkekvelodrome/GHCFQuestions.htm

Waterspouts and all, my alma mater. Sounds like it's being ditched
instead of repaired. --D-y

The velodrome sent our company a letter to solicit donations. There are some
folks trying to form an organization to take over the track and run it. Here
are a couple of issues that I have:

The Velodrome is not accessible by any form of mass transit. Yeah, I know
this is Houston and we don't use mass transit.

I wish I knew how many folks actually use the track. Is it enough to make it
viable as an economic endeavor?

Gambling would be a great way to get money, interest and activity at the
track. Don't think the population in control down here would handle that one
too well. But, it works!

I have never heard of the track extending itself to the schools. But, I
could be wrong. It is seriously uncomfortable for schools to send kids out
on the road to train. But, the track is a closed facility. There are no cars
on the track. Plus there are facilities to change, sit and hold classes.

I do not recall what rebuilding the track may cost. Again, the feasibility
will be judged by the amount of participants and what kind of support they
can gather.

Bruce

"Jim Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'd donate but only if Kathy Volski were no longer involved in any way.

Kathy once decided to only allow training from noon till 4pm in August
(keep in mind this Houston). She also decided to switch the weekly
series from Sat to Friday. That effectively killed participation by
riders from Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio who could not get
there after work on a Friday. She does not bother to clean off the moss
that grows in the water seeps. Ever hit moss on a bike at speed? Its a
wonder someone has not sued her for gross negligence.

Does the facility have a real bathroom yet or only a portapotty that
kids turn over regularly? She's had nearly 20 years to get that into a
budget. One season the portapotty got rolled over and then she just had
someone set it up straight again. Didn't even bother to get a clean one.
Nice...

Jim

Quoted message said:

http://www.houstontx.gov/alkekvelodrome/GHCFQuestions.htm

Waterspouts and all, my alma mater. Sounds like it's being ditched
instead of repaired. --D-y

On 16 Oct 2006 14:39:59 -0700, "[email hidden]" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

http://www.houstontx.gov/alkekvelodrome/GHCFQuestions.htm

Waterspouts and all, my alma mater. Sounds like it's being ditched
instead of repaired. --D-y

Adopt a meter.

Ron

In article <[email hidden]>,

Jim Martin said:

I'd donate but only if Kathy Volski were no longer involved in any way.

Greeting Jim,

Long time no hear from...

Kathy is leaving. The city hired Leigh Barczewski as our full-time coach
this year, and he may stay if the Foundation can find the money to pay
him (there are already a few donors offering to pony up that cash).

The Foundation has assured us there will be a full racing season in
2007. Ideas for next season are being solicited. Want to contribute your
ideas? Cash? Drop me a line. I'll put you in touch with the right people.

Quoted message said:

Kathy once decided to only allow training from noon till 4pm in August
(keep in mind this Houston). She also decided to switch the weekly
series from Sat to Friday. That effectively killed participation by
riders from Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio who could not get
there after work on a Friday. She does not bother to clean off the moss
that grows in the water seeps. Ever hit moss on a bike at speed? Its a
wonder someone has not sued her for gross negligence.

Noon to 4pm (afternoon and evening in general) is the only time we've
ever been able to get track monitors to work (hard to tear folks away
from school, work, etc. in the morning). The Saturday series, as well as
the Tuesday 'roadie' nights and other attempted series have always
produced lower numbers for attendance in Houston. Even running the
events on Friday we still get riders from Austin, San Antonio and Dallas
(180, 200 and 280 miles away - and there's an active track program at
the Superdrome, 30 miles north of downtown Dallas). Bleach and better
sealing of the upper edges of the concrete has stopped algae growth
around cracks in the concrete for the most part, but yes - water finds
its way through from underneath after a big rain (got a half mil $$$ for
a resurface?).

Quoted message said:

Does the facility have a real bathroom yet or only a portapotty that
kids turn over regularly? She's had nearly 20 years to get that into a
budget. One season the portapotty got rolled over and then she just had
someone set it up straight again. Didn't even bother to get a clean one.
Nice...

The porta-cans are a nice addition for a facility inside a city park
that already HAS three bathrooms - in the middle of the softball fields
next door, at the rugby fields and in the picnic area. As it turns out
they were ordered to add some convenience during a big regional event
years ago and were never taken away. No one had charged the velodrome
for years, yet they continue servicing them them.

The Foundation has many grand plans, and is actively searching for funds
to raise the quality of life above what I expect at the minimum will be
a volunteer-run facility and racing program.

So many places want velodromes.

We have one in Houston, and we intend to keep it.

Mike Gladu
Alkek Velodrome Association Pres.
-

In article <[email hidden]>,

Bruce Gilbert said:

The velodrome sent our company a letter to solicit donations. There are some
folks trying to form an organization to take over the track and run it. Here
are a couple of issues that I have:

The organization is the Greater Houston Cycling Foundation. It has an
interim board, has acquired tax-exempt status, and will take over
management on November 1 (the day after the city cuts off support).

Quoted message said:

The Velodrome is not accessible by any form of mass transit. Yeah, I know
this is Houston and we don't use mass transit.

True. I know a few that may be on routes (LA, COS, Kissena), but others
might. Considering the amount of gear most trackies bring with them, I
don't know that it is a practical method. In any case, there's nothing
bad about being on a bus route.

Quoted message said:

I wish I knew how many folks actually use the track. Is it enough to make it
viable as an economic endeavor?

The City has Kathy's numbers. I've never seen them. We all know that
attendance is low, but stable. At the current user levels normal track
activities would not pay for themselves without sponsorship or user
fees.

Quoted message said:

Gambling would be a great way to get money, interest and activity at the
track. Don't think the population in control down here would handle that one
too well. But, it works!

Gambling on track cycling isn't legal in any state in the USA. Ignore
rumors about keirin gambling in other states. It violates parts of the
federal Amateur Athletics Act. And you're right - I don't think ANY
track in the USA is organized well enough to handle parimutuel
activities.

Quoted message said:

I have never heard of the track extending itself to the schools. But, I
could be wrong. It is seriously uncomfortable for schools to send kids out
on the road to train. But, the track is a closed facility. There are no cars
on the track. Plus there are facilities to change, sit and hold classes.

Agreed. Schools, Scouts, Boys&Girls Clubs, local cycling clubs and
corporate team building groups have all used the track in the past.
Interest comes and goes.

Quoted message said:

I do not recall what rebuilding the track may cost. Again, the feasibility
will be judged by the amount of participants and what kind of support they
can gather.

The current $500,000 estimate that is floating around includes soil
stabilization to combat subsidence and a new veneer of concrete.

Add to that the perceived need for on-site offices, storage (better than
the three containers), and changing/lockers/bathroom facility.

It may be possible to accomplish this cheaply now that the City may not
require the Foundation to design the project to meet City standards, or
have it survive the City Capital Improvement funding approval process.

The current goal is to build a 'war chest' of $250,000. This should
cover all the normal annual expenditures as well as pay our coach to
stay.

With Kathy Volski leaving, and her annual salary removed from the total,
that goal may be significantly easier to reach.

Mike Gladu
AVA President
-

Mike G said:

Kathy is leaving. The city hired Leigh Barczewski

Leaving and gone are quite different. Leigh is a good guy and should be
able to make a huge difference IF he can get rid of Volski.

Quoted message said:

Noon to 4pm (afternoon and evening in general) is the only time

That was not the case before Volski. Track was open in the morning
starting around 9.

Quoted message said:

The porta-cans are a nice addition for a facility inside a city park
that already HAS three bathrooms - in the middle of the softball fields
next door, at the rugby fields and in the picnic area.

Maybe from your perspective, but as a competitor, those other options
are too far away when you need a bathroom between races.

Anyway, I hope things improve and I'm sure they will when and if you can
get rid of Volski. I'll be happily surprised if she ever actually leaves.

Good luck,

Jim

In article <[email hidden]>,

Jim Martin said:

Mike G said:

Kathy is leaving. The city hired Leigh Barczewski

Leaving and gone are quite different. Leigh is a good guy and should be
able to make a huge difference IF he can get rid of Volski.

Leaving the state AFAIK. Gone.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Noon to 4pm (afternoon and evening in general) is the only time

That was not the case before Volski. Track was open in the morning
starting around 9.

"BKV" (Before Kathy Volski) was 18 years ago.

Way back when, IIRC, the city paid part-timers hourly to open the track.
Joe Bentley was the promoter of note, putting on the occasional race. He
had a bike shop to run, so he hired unemployed bike racers like Michael
Stephenson to open the gates (back when that's all it took), and I
believe keys were available for special unsupervised occasions. Now that
there are releases to sign, loaner bikes to check in and out and actual
training and open track times scheduled - compromises have been made to
meet the local needs. If folks need morning training, they can get the
track opened. Morning training exists here when needed with Leighs help,
but is much more common at the Superdrome - where more adults seem to be
free to train during normal working hours.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The porta-cans are a nice addition for a facility inside a city park
that already HAS three bathrooms - in the middle of the softball fields
next door, at the rugby fields and in the picnic area.

Maybe from your perspective, but as a competitor, those other options
are too far away when you need a bathroom between races.

I'm sure most people would agree that a closer bathroom is better, right
up to and including it being inside the oval (and smelling it).

I don't think even that would stop some people from impatiently changing
and peeing in the infield (like they have always done).

Quoted message said:

Anyway, I hope things improve and I'm sure they will when and if you can
get rid of Volski. I'll be happily surprised if she ever actually leaves.

Good luck,

Jim

Stay tuned.

Mike G.
-