Frank Banta of Frank Banta Construction and Doug Emerson of University Bicycles formed a partnership (Boneshaker LLC) in 2005 with a goal of building an Olympic-caliber velodrome in Boulder County. In 2006, Boneshaker purchased a perfect site for the velodrome in Erie, Colorado. The protracted process of securing all necessary entitlements and permits required to begin construction is completed.
Doug Emerson started University Bicycles 26 years ago with 15 used bikes and a tool box. Today, his store is widely recognized as one of the best bike shops in the country. It has been a small-business success story for the ages. Doug hopes to bring the same grass-roots authenticity that defines his store to this velodrome project.
Frank Banta has more than 40 years of experience in construction and has a goal of building the best velodrome possible—no shortcuts to perfection. In addition, he is one of the founders and current director of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic (BBC), which has raised more than $1.4 million in scholarships for students at the University of Colorado.
Boneshaker was fortunate to have the exceptional design services of local architect David Beal of David A. Beal & Associates LLC, and the guidance of world-renowned velodrome designer and builder Peter Junek of Board Track Racing Inc. Boneshaker looks forward to working with these professionals to bring the project to completion.
That’s the boring part of this “who” section. The more exciting part is you. With your participation and support we can continue to grow velodrome cycling in Boulder County*. We are committed to the same process we applied when we began: step-by-step pragmatism. It is easy to let our imaginations go and dream about the possibilities that will evolve from this facility. However, pondering what this velodrome will become someday does not move us any closer to building it this year. Boneshaker has toiled for almost five years to bring us to the brink of making this a reality. Let’s not let another year go by!
We set a goal of raising $1million before we can fire up the bulldozers. The vehicle to raise this first phase of funding will be our “Founding Members Club.” The quickest way to reach our goal is for 200 individuals and businesses to commit at the $5,000 level. At this level, we want to keep it simple: Every Founding Member gets the same deal. And what a deal it is! This is an opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor of something special. It’s like buying Green Bay Packers season tickets in 1960, or a lifetime ski pass to Vail in 1969. We are about to build the first hockey rink in Winnipeg! Your involvement will yield years of fitness, camaraderie and fun.
From over-all naming rights, to display advertising along the railing and on the track (a huge canvas that will be displayed 24/7 on live webcams), we are counting on businesses to get involved. Right now, however, $5,000 from each of us will get the velodrome built. Future generations (and Cat 3 couch-surfing racers of today), are not in a position to contribute to this project. Let’s be the generation that walks the walk and pays it forward!
*We want to respectfully acknowledge Boulder Indoor Cycling, which has done a great job pioneering their velodrome.
