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| Site of future Fieldhouse on Furman Street Photo: BBPC |
But it's not as simple as that, skeptics say. Peter Flemming, co-chair of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Community Council and a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Park Corporation told the Brooklyn Eagle that the Fieldhouse is actually a "specialized velodrome masquerading as a community recreation center — and it doesn’t belong in Brooklyn Bridge Park."
It seems that competitive track racing is not what most people think of as bicycle racing. Competitors ride special fixed-gear bikes without brakes, and must travel at least 16 miles an hour to avoid tipping over on curves that bank 45 degrees or more.
"Why help the city build a huge stadium — one of only two in the country — in a tiny waterfront park for this quaint, obscure, bizarre sport?” Flemming asks.
Greg Brooks, executive director of New York City Fieldhouse Inc., argues that the entire community will make use of the facility, and says it will save Brooklyn Bridge Park a ton of money. Read what he has to say here.
Previously:
- Did You Miss the Fieldhouse Forum?
- Who IS This Guy Who Donated $40 Million To Brooklyn Bridge Park?
- Willowtowners Fear Traffic Nightmares From Fieldhouse Crowds BHB
Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.
yea, not many Brooklyn people will actually use a velodrome. But many will stay at hotels to be near it.
ReplyDeleteAhh! The velodrome…the last refuge of the white prep schooler!
ReplyDeleteWas watching a video about the LA velodrome. Nothing against velodromes, but it does seem a bit odd for this particular setting. But Chicken Underwear may have the right idea -- it will bring traffic to the hotel. Is that the goal here?
ReplyDeleteThe outdoor velodrome in Queens gets very busy all year round and is a big hit.
ReplyDeleteNot for nothing, but this article gives some history: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/velodrome-tradition-lives-on-in-queens/ Of course, it's in the NY Times so don't believe everything you read (even if it's not by Judith Miller)
There is also this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/nyregion/bikers-dream-of-turning-bronx-armory-into-a-velodrome.html
The outdoor Kissena velodrome in Queens is in a park 4 times bigger than BB Park, and which is connected to Corona Park which is maybe 20 times bigger than BB Park. This Brooklyn velodrome is like dropping the Star Ship Enterprise onto a mini-golf course.
ReplyDeleteanonymous @ 8:41
ReplyDeleteDoes that mean the BB velodrome is big or small.
A velodrome is what it is in terms of size. Perhaps it's not appropriate location!, but so is a hotel inappropriate, as is a private wine bar, restaurant, volleyball courts and the extent do flora and fauna that looks pretty but takes away from useable space and blocks views. To each their own. And frankly I wouldn't put a pool by the water, and if I become Mayor, my first blow is to know down "Jane's" Carousel (LaGuardia's strikes against pinball machines will seem mild by comparison).
ReplyDeleteKnock down, not know down. Nasty touch screen.
ReplyDeleteWhatever our politics, I think we can all agree about the carousel.
ReplyDeleteChicken Underwear, according to the Star Trek Volumetrics website, the volume of the Enterprise is estimated to be 211,248 cubic meters, or 7,460,152 cubic feet.
ReplyDeleteThat means the BB Park velodrome is big.
http://www.st-v-sw.net/STSWvolumetrics.html
Yes, but compared to Jane's ego, the BB velodrome is small.
ReplyDeleteAnd who knew Brooklyn Boulders would be so busy. Sometimes small sports have more active followers than you realize.
ReplyDelete