What Type of Track to Build So. of Chicago Options

[Brandon002]

Talk is Cheap Marco... There was a ton of it last year at the winter meeting and absolutely none of it happened. Sorry, but seeing is believing and I'll believe when I see.

Also, let's not talk about respect after the nonsense that spewed from Paul's huge mouth on the hill website not too long ago in the form of personal attacks and attempts to belittle someone. Respect has to be given to be received and I gave last year the benefit of the doubt and it turned out horribly. At the end of the season I decided to voice my opinion and I was attacked from every direction possible. So I give up, until I see all these promises and discussions actually turn into something. Been there, done that and the result spoke for itself. I refuse to help people that won't take criticism or opinions without getting defensive and initiating personal attacks. Sorry.

Hell, someone even donated a ton monetarily and got burned. Bridges need to be rebuilt. This whole "let's put the past behind us" nonsense is a nice way to scapegoat saying "I'm sorry guys, I was wrong, let's try to fix my mistakes"


This post has been edited by Brandon002: Dec 20 2011, 02:50 AM

[ILBMX]

Talk is Cheap"

I agree, talk is cheap. When you feel better you'll be able to put more into it.

You have some serious challenges ahead of you right now in your personal life. I'm not sure everyone knows the gravity of the situation, but I hope it all works out for you.

Take care.

This post has been edited by ILBMX: Dec 20 2011, 07:43 AM

[Brandon002]

I agree, talk is cheap. When you feel better you'll be able to put more into it.

You have some serious challenges ahead of you right now in your personal life. I'm not sure everyone knows the gravity of the situation, but I hope it all works out for you.

Take care.

Thanks George...


I put as much into it last year as I could. The year before that I was even able to do more (sweeping straights on race days etc..) I really hope you guys can bounce the place back, I just don't feel like putting in any more effort then I already have until I see some sort of proof that it's actually going to happen and that things are going to change (not just track wise either). Also, an apology for a certain personal attack would have been nice.

[NOClips]

Talk is Cheap Marco...
...Hell, someone even donated a ton monetarily and got burned. Bridges need to be rebuilt. This whole "let's put the past behind us" nonsense is a nice way to scapegoat saying "I'm sorry guys, I was wrong, let's try to fix my mistakes"

That's a very PC way of putting it...but well said! I can't stomach it when I hear that "let's put the past behind us" nonsense. It completely belittles the individuals who may have been wronged for someone elses neglect or failure. Part of being a leader or a "stand up guy" is to accept accountablility for successes AND failures.

In contact with my attorney this week to look at possible options on this topic...

[BREEZY110]

We've presented one park district and have heard they were looking for possible locations. The other PD in the area has told me that the ideal location I'd like, is def. possible....but nothing in writing yet.

I'm at the waiting stage right now. I told them I cannot apply for grants until a location is determined and a non-profit organization formed for the track.

So I'm confident this project will happen, just not sure at what location or what PD will host it. For now I am concentrating on possible track designs to incorporate this track. I REALLY dig the tunnel/bridge concept.

Whats your opinion in track layout as for as berms. I mean should it be a standard snake pattern design with tight 90 deg. berms or something different? I also like the seperate straights in one of the runs. If so should it be in the last leg of the track or maybe sencond leg? I trying to figure out a layout for the tunnel/bridge to work. I don't want to dig down for tunnel due to drainage concerns so I'd have to build up for bridge.

If you would like to follow this track progression, please join my FB page: Support Kankakee Area BMX Racing.

Thanks for the input!

DO SOMETHING WITH SOME OLD SCHOOL STUFF JUMPS LIKE FUNWAY IN BATAVIA IL AND SOME STEP UP AND OFFS ALSO GOOD FOR THE LITTLE GUYS

[4themasses]

Quick update...

The PD is trying to purchase an existing structure that already has mini-golf, a driving range, go cart racing course plus a ton of indoor recreational areas. The director has been telling me since Feb that they have something "in the works" but cannot say what that is yet.

This area has property to build the track on, lots of available parking, easily accessible from I-57 with lots of restaurants, a mall and hotels. Absolute prime location!

See this from their website: http://www.btpd.org/pdf/BTPD%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Read the second page, third bulletin.
"Youth organized sports programs. The Park District currently rents space from local schools and at the three-year-old Sportplex to offer youth sports programs; the new facility would add efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the Park District envisions a robust youth intramural sports programs to offer an alternative avenue for healthy activity for students not on school sports teams.

The local paper reported last month that the PD had planned on buying this property. Of course people started complaining about property taxes etc. which in turn resulted in this purchase possibly going up for public voting for the purchase. Needless to say I haven't contacted the PD about this since I'm sure they are being pounded on about the purchase alone. If they do not purchase this, that particular PD will probably pass on the track since it sounds like this was the only place they could put it, but maybe not. They still have another area by Manteno that could suffice as well though parking would be a ways from the actual track. That's if they still want to keep this project.

If not, we still have options. I have another individual that I'm in contact with as of this weekend that is interested in the track. Word is out down here and I know a lot of people so eventually something will happen.

That's all I have for now.

This post has been edited by 4themasses: Jul 12 2012, 07:09 AM

[4themasses]

Just to add to this thread real quick the reasoning behind wanting this track in this area.

First and foremost is to introduce kids from our area to BMX racing which has been absent since the very early 90's. We all now what goes along with that in the form of competition, family outings etc. Secondly is because even if kids here WERE interested, for most families it is not within their budget to drive 1-1/2 hours in any given direction to compete.

From Kankakee:
Steel Wheels (indoor or out) and Farmer City: 1-1/2 hrs.
Elgin, Waukegan, Peoria = 2 hrs.
Rockford: 3 hrs.
Statistically sad since this area had three tracks at one time in the 80's.

I talk frequently with a woman from Grant Park (just north-east of K3) at the IN track and she has all kinds of kids and parents really wanting to get their kids into this sport but don't want to drive that far to do so. She's a teacher at the school and her kids all race. I'm sure once they get into the sport they would want to travel to check other tracks out.

Not that it was needed to clarify, I just wanted to state what our motivation was for this.

[BIRD6961]

cool make it happen

[4themasses]

Well we waited a whole year for a decision from one of the local park districts. The whole project was contigent on the purchase of a sportsplex along the interstate. In November the citizens voted down the proposal of this purchase thus killing a BMX track in the Bradley-Bourbonnais IL area at this time. I'm told that this was not the only project killed since voters are not interested in investing in their area.

I'm am in discussions with the Kankakee Valley Park District right now with some positive feedback. I have a proposal meeting with their board Jan. 14th. I'm told by their President there is plenty of land available as well as dirt/clay (3000 truck loads available...NOW). I think it would be a "$$ how much do we need $$" to get it started kind of debate right now. I emailed Ed to see IF he still has the gate and was if it's still available so that way I got a line on one and a cost.

I was in discussions last year with them and a few "things" were misconstrued thus causing an issue internally so we let it lie for awhile. Figured it was time to reopen discussions to see if there was interest. I had talked to a board member over the summer who was very in favor of this as well.

For updates I can be found on FB at 'Support Kankakee Area BMX Racing'. I will also open a new thread labled 'Kankakee BMX' and start updating there.

I'll keep all up to date.