Ed Rudolph Velodrome
Encyclopedia
The Ed Rudolph Velodrome is a velodrome
in Northbrook, Illinois
used to host track cycling
events and soccer
games. It is the more centrally located of the two Chicago metropolitan area velodromes (the other residing in Kenosha, Wisconsin
). It is owned by the Northbrook Park District.
The 382 m (1,253.3 ft) velodrome was constructed in 1960 with a perimeter for track cycling
and a grassy infield for soccer games. Every winter, the velodrome was flooded to create a speed skating
rink. Over the years, the track served as a practice rink for members of multiple U.S. Winter Olympics teams. In the 1990s, the District ceased the annual conversion of the velodrome into an ice rink
due to the facility's inability to retain water, which seeped through the soccer field. Ed Harvey, the District director, attributed this to a lowering of the water table caused by construction in the late 1980s.
The track's asphalt was completely resurfaced in 1989, and again in 2004.
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
in Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook is a village located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, which is also a North Shore suburb of Chicago. The population was 33,170 at the 2010 census....
used to host track cycling
Track cycling
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
events and soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
games. It is the more centrally located of the two Chicago metropolitan area velodromes (the other residing in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
). It is owned by the Northbrook Park District.
The 382 m (1,253.3 ft) velodrome was constructed in 1960 with a perimeter for track cycling
Track cycling
Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using track bicycles....
and a grassy infield for soccer games. Every winter, the velodrome was flooded to create a speed skating
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
rink. Over the years, the track served as a practice rink for members of multiple U.S. Winter Olympics teams. In the 1990s, the District ceased the annual conversion of the velodrome into an ice rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
due to the facility's inability to retain water, which seeped through the soccer field. Ed Harvey, the District director, attributed this to a lowering of the water table caused by construction in the late 1980s.
The track's asphalt was completely resurfaced in 1989, and again in 2004.