50-year-old Edmonton velodrome slated for demolition

Edmonton will soon have a year-round velodrome when the new Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre opens next year.

This means the nearly 50-year-old Argyll Velodrome will soon see its final lap. The city has approved funding to demolish it.

The velodrome was used in the Commonwealth Games in 1978 and is now home to several clubs, like Edmonton Juventus. The soccer club still has a 10-year lease on the field… They are glad to see plans to get rid of the cycling track.

“Now that the demolition is taking place, we’re pretty happy about that. It gives us more of a soccer field, a bigger soccer field,” said Rob Mosele, the founding president, Edmonton Juventus Sports Club.

For Edmonton BMX president Sarah Hickey says it is bittersweet to see a historical facility close, but she is optimistic, what this could mean for their space.

“We have always known that this place would be changed. So our hope is that we’re going to have room to maybe expand or become more of a partnership with the other clubs here, and that we can create a bigger track,” said Hickey.

The City says the outdoor bike track was at the end of its life.

“This is a similar conversation we were having with many assets. Many old ice rinks, old swimming pools, old amenities around the community … The cost of repair, maintenance, and the carrying cost of that asset exceeds the cost of replacement or doing something different with them,” said Michael Janz, councillor of Ward Papastew.

The councillor for the area sees potential in the land being close to a transit centre, and so close to major streets like Argyll Road, adding that he would like to see an all-season soccer field. 

“Soccer programs are incredible. High demand in our city right now, and there are multiple partners who, right now, if we give them the grass, they will put up an inflatable dome,” said Janz.

Hickey said, “We would love to see the ability to expand our track a little bit and add what we call a pro set, so it would attract a lot more riders to our track.”

Taxpayers will spend a total of $3.2 million to demolish the velodrome. Councillor Janz says he will be meeting with the community next week to discuss the future of this space.