GRENCHEN, Switzerland (BRAIN) Monday May 14 2012 11:14 AM MT—Construction is under way on Velodrome Suisse, a CHF 15 million ($16 million) track, sports hall and training center planned next door to BMC’s Swiss headquarters in Grenchen.
The project was spearheaded by BMC owner and Swiss entrepreneur Andy Rihs and is supported by the city of Grenchen, Swiss Olympic, Swiss sports federation BASPO and private investors.
Ground broke on the project April 27 and the complex is expected to open next spring. The velodrome will be 250 meters in order to provide ideal training conditions for cyclists vying for medals at international competitions. Community leaders see the complex as Grenchen’s ticket to become the cycling center of Switzerland.
The complex will house training facilities for other sports such as gymnastics, and will also include a restaurant, sports shop and conference facilities.
Rihs has donated CHF 2 million ($2.1 million) toward the project, as has the town of Grenchen. The canton of Solothurn, where Grenchen is located, has also indicated it will support the project from its sports fund. Grenchen is a small town of about 16,000 in northwest Switzerland best known for its watch manufacturing.
