The over 60 year old building has a lot of overdue maintenance on the inside and outside. For example, the concrete floor has cracks that allow water to pass through. And the drainage of the roof is also not functioning properly. “Good news. The council has taken a first step by presenting a plan to renovate the Sports Palace so that it will be preserved,” says a happy Joeri Stoop of the Alkmaar Baanpromotie Foundation.
In the foundation, which is commitment to keeping the jobformer cyclists Reinier Honig, Laurens ten Dam and Niki Terpstra are also present. “It’s going in the right direction,” responds an equally enthusiastic Terpstra on the bike. “It still has to be approved by the council, but everyone is on the same page. This is only positive.”
Much to thank for job
The former cyclists say they owe a lot to this cycling track. With it organizing competitions they have tried to revive it recently. It is the penultimate track in the Netherlands that is suitable for official cycling races.
“That is a great success and also has an attractive effect. We hope to continue with this and expand in categories. I don’t think the Sportpaleis has had such a good year in a while.”