South Chicago Velodrome Open Letter and Immediate Fundraising Emergency

Please read and share this important announcement/call to action, also on the web site.  We're behind with some bills and a few days from a critical deadline...  We've raised $1770 the last three days with donations $10-1000; half way to our goal.  If this insurance bill isn't paid by the cancellation date (was due Sept 17), we'll lose our land lease...

We are currently at a crossroads for the future of the velodrome. While surface repairs are about 85% complete and “casual riding” is taking place, we must raise $3,500 between October 1st and 8th for our insurance policy payment. If our insurance is canceled, we will be required to vacate the premises and the track itself could be repossessed. We have made great progress in recent months, including the addition of new members to our board and the completion of our 501c3 application allowing new avenues of fundraising in the future, but we are still at a moment of crisis. 

Here are the things we’re asking supporters to do this week:

- Donate: Friends, your friends, networks and small to medium gifts can fill this short-term need.  Every $20-100+ helps these next few days.  If you’ve already donated, can you consider anothother gift?

- Help spread the word: share the news and contact 5 friends to donate or sponsor. Personal appeals made face to face are the single strongest way to get new supporters. Remember, no amount is too small.

- Sponsors:  Formal sponsor proposals will be ready later this month but we’re looking now for anyone who wants to get a head start.  Reach out to your local businesses or places of work to see if they’re able to sponsor the track and add themselves to an effort to make a difference in the city.

Any and all contributions to support this effort can be made here:   gofundme.com/SoChgoVelodrome
Chase Quickpay and Paypal.com funds can be sent to fundraising@chicagovelodrome.com

After Chicago almost lost its only inner-city velodrome in late 2014, the South Chicago Velodrome Association was formed and successfully negotiated a contract to purchase the track. About ⅓ of the balance has been paid, the land lease is signed and a solid insurance policy is in SCVA’s name.  The SCVA is entirely managed and run through the commitment of its volunteers. We believe we have a rare opportunity to share and can help expand a unique part of the cycling community

For more information about the track itself:
chicagovelodrome.com/?page_id=20
WTTW Channel 11 video and article

Sincerely,
Marcus Moore
President, South Chicago Velodrome Association
ChicagoVelodrome.com
E  marcus@chicagovelodrome.com
P  872-588-7282 (Luv-SCVA)

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 8, 2015 at 5:50am

What's the latest? Were you able to raise enough to meet the goal for today?

Permalink Reply by Marcus Moore on October 9, 2015 at 1:55am

Yes!  (omg that was scary)

Thanks for asking (and contributing!) Anne.  We should have a blog/news update sometime today here: News  We paid the insurance installment with less than 48 hours remaining and trying to keep momentum in our efforts.

All of us involved are very touched by the community coming together for this; I know a number of clubs/teams/rides (CCC, Tower, xXx, Judson, Sram, Intelligentsia Cup, UpTop, etc) and a lot of local shops (Village CycleSport, Pony Shop, Bike Lane, Johnny Sprockets, Velodramatic, Roscoe Village, Boulevard, Pedal to the People, Kozy's, Sammy's, Yojimbo's and others I'm forgetting) shared the Open Letter:

Come and see/hang out at/maybe ride the track October 17th and 18th.
During Open House Chicago SCVA will have the gates open; tcl event pages to come soon.  Currently on Facebook: Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th

SCVA is looking for volunteers for those days too :)

Permalink Reply by Marcus Moore on October 9, 2015 at 9:57am

Blog is updated with fundraising totals from the last week :)  chicagovelodrome.com/?p=376

Thanks everyone!!  

(work's not done yet though...)

Permalink Reply by Marcus Moore on October 10, 2015 at 5:10am

As far as next weekend's (17th-18th) Open House Chicago event, developing details are now posted on thechainlink and FB event pages and on our Google Calendar thing:

Sunday on theChainLink.org here, Saturday on Facebook here, Saturday on Google Calendar, Sunday on theChainLink.org, Sunday on Facebook, Sunday on Google Calendar

Permalink Reply by Marcus Moore on October 14, 2015 at 3:14am

More people are signing up for Saturday (and Sunday) in South Chicago at the bike track...  http://www.thechainlink.org/events/open-house-chicago-visitor-weekend

We've got painting activities, track riding (just playing around), assembling the huge erector set (ADA ramp),some repairs, some grounds stuff, garden prep maybe, grilling, eating...  

Have you checked out the cool nature areas (untouched, former industrial) next to the track property?  I've never seen a greater concentration of Milkweeds in the city...

Permalink Reply by Marcus Moore on October 27, 2015 at 11:37am

Today's blog post concerning an action meeting tomorrow and the monthly meeting next week can be found here: today's post (mural and sign painting work mentioned too)

Chainlink event pages here for tomorrow and here for next week.

I'm looking forward to working with the new directors tomorrow and hope a couple more volunteers show up ready to engage...

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