CVA '09, message from Claire

Hello Friends!

There have been a lot of rumors flying around and I know most everyone is in the dark as to why we have not yet published a calendar or a track opening date, and so we’d like to make you all aware of the situation that the CVA is currently dealing with that has caused this information to be delayed.

For as many years as any of us can remember, the USOC, and in particular John Cotton, as an employee of the USOC, has been very flexible with us during our summers, often staying open 7 days a week for as many hours as John could stand. Usually during the summers it is not unusual for John to work over 60 hours a week. We have been spoiled in that regard and hopefully we are all able to recognize that. This past month, the USOC cut sixty jobs (thankfully not John’s) and are attempting to cut millions of dollars from their budget. Our track, being a facility owned by the USOC, is subject to the USOC’s choices in terms of scaling back. We were originally told that the track would only be open on the weekends and certainly not at any time in which we would need to use the lights.

With the help of Pat McDonough, who has left USA Cycling, we have a proposal into the USOC to open the track and staff it. Our proposal is still being assessed by the USOC and as a result, nothing has been posted or set in stone in terms of the CVA calendar. Pat is working hard with the USOC to continue to make our track racing and usage a reality. As soon as there is a response back from the USOC, we will get everything put up online immediately!

We want everyone to be aware that if our proposed plan goes through with the USOC, things are going to change quite a bit. There will still be Tuesday and Thursday night racing, our normal weekend races (sprint days, TT day, creamed corn, districts, etc.) but training availability times are going to change. There will not be as much flexibility and training times will be set times during the week. This is a big change for our track, but we are asking everyone to stay positive, give us feedback, and help the community to adapt as a whole to these changes.

On an uplifting note (provided the proposal is approved): we are going to work hard this year to turn Thursday nights into a big deal, not only for our riders, but also for spectators and the community as a whole. We are looking at a potentially huge season this year with the opening of the Boulder track and an increased rider base. We are really excited to use this opportunity and turn Thursday nights into sponsor nights with feature races, crowds and large racing fields.

So, this is what is going on. We apologize for not posting this and communicating sooner. Help spread the word among your fellow riders and help spread the correct information. If you have any other questions or concerns, email cvatrack@gmail.com and let us know. We will post as soon as we hear from the USOC. One last note, when you see Pat McDonough around this summer, please thank him for all of his hard work! Please also take every opportunity you get to thank John Cotton for all he does and has done and will continue to do for the CVA. John is our greatest support and without him, we would not have functioned for 25+ years!

Thanks!

Claire Landis-Tyson on behalf of The CVA Board