The Velodrome at Bloomer Park
Receives Prestigious Flaherty Award

Rochester Hills, Michigan -- The Velodrome at Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills, recognized for its excellence as a park facility and for its superb programs, was honored with the 2006 Daniel L. Flaherty Memorial Award.

The prestigious award is given annually by the Great Lakes Park Training Institutes at its annual conference, held recently in Angola, Indiana. The Velodrome was the project of note among entries from six states – Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa and Wisconsin.  The Velodrome was the

Perfect blend of Public, Private and Non Profit groups working together for the greater good of the community and its residents.

The privately-funded Velodrome, spearheaded and completed by velodrome designer and builder Dale Hughes, is a  model for private-public cooperation.  The 1/8th mile oval was built on an abandoned parking lot in Rochester Hills’ Bloomer Park after a creative fundraising campaign. Volunteers provided the labor and continue to maintain and operate the track, which was given to the city upon completion, making Rochester Hills one of only 17 communities in the U.S. to list a  Velodrome among its facilities.

Beyond the actual construction of the $1 million sports facility, the institutes also recognized programming at the Velodrome, a carefully designed opportunity to engage the public to ride, race or watch events.

“Programming is everything,” he said.  “Our track is open seven days a week.  Youngsters, adults, everyone can come and ride—it’s free the first time.  After that, there’s a nominal fee.  Youngsters 18 and under are free all the time, all season long.”

“Its accessibility is critical to its success,” said Hughes, but he also noted that in the site design and construction every effort was made to blend the oval into the forested acreage surrounding it. Tiered festival

seating is carved out of a grassy hillside and the track itself is nestled into the terrain.

“Unless you know its there, it really is not even noticeable,” said Hughes.  “But the riders know and so do the fans.”

Alan Buckenmeyer, Park Manager with the city of Rochester Hills, agrees as the Velodrome has increased Park income by over 40%.

Hughes will pass it onto Mayor Pat Somerville of Rochester Hills at a special presentation planned for early Spring.

The Velodrome will open May 1st starting its 6th season.  The Velodrome at Bloomer Park is really a prototype facility for communities around the globe to copy – world class yet low cost.

For more information contact:

Dale Hughes
Velodrome at Bloomer Park
248-961-3705

dale@NAS-TRACK.com
www.velodromeatbloomerpark.com