Lee Valley Velodrome - Is it fulfilling its legacy promises?

Likely to be it's own thing, not council, will look up the name when I get home. The Olympic site was in 3 (I think) boroughs so made its own 'local planning authority' to make decisions, anything else council-like is similar. There was a special legislation done for it. I'm sure it's just coincidence, but I find it does make information that bit harder to find...

I've heard people talk about how much they like being able to swim in the aquatic centre. Is it affordable as a public pool? Or only for middle class occasional family days out. An awful lot more expensive to run and maintain than a velodrome... Would be interesting to compare perhaps.

The Aquatic Centre is reasonable compared to other swimming pools but the few times I've been, largely empty.

I'd hate to break it to you, but you're a baller!

The Aquatic Centre is reasonable compared to other swimming pools but the few times I've been, largely empty.

Wow, that's really surprising! I'd love to swim there sometime.

Really interesting to see this thread @Señor_Bear, I had no idea that youths (or unwaged for that matter) aren't getting free or very cheap track time / bike hire... pretty shocking really. Seems like a good idea that people could become associate members or something to get a regular rider reduction - £30 paying upfront for four rides in a month, or something like that.

London Legacy Development Corp is what I was thinking of, they list some other legacy groups on their page too. http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/our-story/the-legacy-corporation

These big sports venues need to be subsidised to fulfill their role, and if the aquatic centre can be affordable so should the velodrome. I don't think the argument that it costs a lot to keep the lights on really washes.

Having said that I assume LLDC is subject to funding squeezes like anywhere else, but they're also building 10k housing in a 'desirable London location' which surely helps fill the coffers. (Not long-term though. Hurm. Just thinking aloud now..)

I was wondering if we could FOIA the LVV accounts/facility use statistics to start.

I (and others who have been on the committee longer) can give some insight into how FHHV works as a user group with an very active interest in HHV.

The set up will be a little different as HHV has a Trust, but the framework of FHHV and what it has done in the past (before I was a member) might be useful to a user group.

A user group could also carry weight if it had reps from the larger clubs/clubs and teams that use it a lot. Again I'm happy to help with that if people think it's a good idea

Classic...

Good afternoon Mr Bear,

Many thanks for the below email.

The payment to bike storage will need to be made in full.

Kind Regards

C*******e

From: Senor_Bear [mailto:senorbear@gmail.com]
Sent: 30 January 2017 13:10
To: LV VeloPark
Subject: Re: Bike Storage 2017/18

Hello,

Is it possible to pay for 3 or 6 months at a time? £365 is an awful lot to pay in one go.

Thanks,

Mr Bear

On 30 Jan 2017 12:58 p.m., "LV VeloPark" velopark@vibrantpartnerships.co.uk wrote:
Dear Lee Valley VeloPark Member

We are writing regarding your Annual Bike Storage at Lee Valley VeloPark which will expire on 31st March 2017.

If you would like to renew your bike storage for 2017/2018, please complete and return the attached form by 1st March 2017.

The annual cost of storage is £365.00 for the period 1st April/May 2017 to 31st March 2018.

As from 1st June 2017 bike storage will be charged at £35.00 per part and full calendar months left until 31st March 2018. (example: 1st June 2017 to 31st March 2018 - £350.00, 1st July 2017 to 31st March 2018 - £315.00 and so forth)
Annual Bike Storage has proven to be very popular and early booking is highly recommended.

Forms can be posted, handed in at reception or emailed to ---- at velopark@leevalleypark.org.uk. If emailing, please retain the subject title as ‘Annual Bike Storage 2017/2018'

A member of the Lee Valley VeloPark team will contact you for payment, completed form and full payment is required by the 17th March 2017.
If payment is not received by 17th March 2017 the storage space will be released and sold to another rider on the waiting list to take over from the 1st April 2017.

If at the end of your current storage year (31st March 2017) you have not removed your bike, we reserve the right to cut the bike free and remove, making the space available for the new paying rider as from 1st April 2017.
We will keep your bike until Friday 14th April 2017, if not collected by this date the bike will be donated to charity.
Lee Valley VeloPark cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage or theft caused to your bike, chain or padlock when restored within the venue.
Yours faithfully

LV VeloPark

Lee Valley VeloPark

Tel: 03000 030 613

Abercrombie Road
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
London E20 3AB

Tel: 03000 030 613
vibrantpartnerships.co.uk
Please note that my email address has changed, please update your address book.

Do they clean and re-lube your bike on a regular basis for that price?

Not able to squeeze a few bikes in and share the cost?

I don't go any more because of second kid, but yes the cost is prohibitive.

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It's a bit of a hard sell at a time when council funding is being cut, with impacts on mental health, social care, etc, to push for subsidies for using a velodrome.

I see what you're saying, but equally it's not really a subsidy to reduce prices if people aren't really using it and you're paying staff to stand around doing very little all day though? Higher volume, same income then at least all the legacy schpiel based around the social/health benefits that sport brings will be enacted, so what's the point of paying to keep a building empty?

Agreed, there are certainly nuances to the argument but they won't necessarily come across.

Fuck me, £40 for an hour taster at Lee, or £11.10 at Emirates.....

I still fancy doing the Lee even at £40 as it will be a one off thing as too far away to be viable for getting track accreditation.

I disagree with what you say about the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at the Emirates. I find it to be managed just fine, and can generally book a slot when I need to. I find the surface fine. I use it most weeks.

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I am very much enjoying it. Every step of the accreditation has been coached well and I've enjoyed it. The drop in sessions are good value at £8.70/hour. Which I don't mind paying, especially when the Scottish weather is challenging. The coaches, mechanics and regular riders have generally been very friendly and encouraging. Three of us share a cage to keep the cost down. Whenever I step into the place, I'm always struck but what a good facility it is. Maybe I'm biased, but I find it hard to fault.

A very interesting article regarding the aquatics centre, I would like to see a comparison with the damn track and what numbers they have to shout about:

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Much lower bar to entry for a swimming pool than a velodrome though.

Plus more than 20ish people can use it at once.