I herd there is an indoor track that just opened there or is opening... Anyone have any truth to this?

Well, you're a little behind the times. They've been trying to open one there for almost 4 years. It keeps getting torpedo'd. I talked to the owner a few weeks ago and he was still hoping for a break through. Maybe it has happened since then. Hope so 'cuz I live close. But I would be surprised if it ever happened. To much Government/County BS

This is such a frustrating subject to me. It has been a minimum of 5 years since Elaine announced this project and NOTHING has happened. Why they are not looking at more geographic locations is beyond me. Also when building a fully enclosed building for riding there are so many environmental concerns is baffling. I think whoever is on that team is not working nearly hard enough.

Well, its unfair for you to say they are not working hard enough. You have no idea how much money and time has been spent on this. Their present location is the 2nd one that they have tried. After spending over $100000 on enviromental studies and permits on the first one, they were shut down. NO REFUND on money spent.

I don't have the patience to tell you all of the crap that they have been through on the 2nd site. Whether or not they did some things wrong during this process is debatable, but to say they aren't trying hard enough is a downright stupid statement on your part.

Lets see you cough up several hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) and try to get one going.

HONDA65 said:

Don't get excited. It is just an opinion. There is only one thing I know to be fairly certain and have been told by people in the contruction industry. That is that Clark County in general is not very friendly to this kind of project. My question is why do they "seem" to be hung up on Clark County? Beyond that why are they being shutdown? There should be any number of existing industrial parks they could slide right in. Where are they trying to build exactly?

Well, your right. Clark County is not very favorable about this. However it goes beyond just CC. The was a wetlands issue that was supposedly rectified, but then at the last minute got hung up. And this was with the Corp of Enginners. Actually, it was the City Of Battleground that suggested the current site. They were very much in favor of it and by putting it in city limits the hope was to by-pass the county

I assume that they chose Clark County due to the population. Plus of course the people involved live here. But, yes if they would have put it say,in Cowlitz County, it probably would have flown. But again the hope was to have something somewhat close in to town, not out in the boonies

HONDA65 said:

I see. Well, my wallett is of no help, but if I win the lottery I will let you know. I would love to see a great facility here. Right now Hindsight is the best and it needs to be better to be considered even close to great, and I know that will not be cheap.

Speedracer42 said:

Well, why don't you call up the city of Battle Ground and tell them how frustrated you are? I'm sure they get right on it for you.
It's a wetlands issue and the Corps is involved, give them a call too while you're at it. After they laugh in your face come back and tell us how hard you worked at it.
You say your frustrated because it hasn't been built imagine how frustrating it is to put $200k+ into a project with no way to recoup in sight? Heck, even if it does get built I doubt it will be around long as I just don't think there is enough market around for such an ambitious project. I really hope they prove me wrong, though.........

That sounds like a real pain in the butt, IM sure they have thought of this, but I always thought if someone built a roof only building (no walls) they could make it bigger than a fully enclosed building for the moneyand there would be more riding room. I dont like riding indoor tracks because they are so cramped. Im sure there are still enviromental issues its just a thought.

falshh said:

Well, no walls, you are back to a noise issue if its in close into town.

good point, I guess I will just stick to riding in the rain at longview sand track till summer.

I really think there would be a market for a large indoor facility in Clark County. I see many people from this side of the river making the drive to hindsight, including myself. And Clark County indoor was packed every night that I was there. Even during the summer months it would be great just to have a place to ride that is close and open every day. Oh well I guess I can keep dreaming. How is that sand track at longview? I rode it a year ago and was not impressed. Is it worth the trip up there?

Well, as much as I would love to see this place be built, even if it does, I too doubt its long term viability. I talked with the owner of Hindsight a few weeks back and he told me he has spent $700,000 in keeping it going for the last 2 years. And thats NOT including the cost of building it:eek: But for him, he has his main business in the same building, so it does generate income for him.

But if you also look at their summer months, its a morgue. Its only open at night, and even then its a really light turnout.

so unfortunately, the CC track, if built, will run into the same problem. People want to ride outdoors during the spring and summer. Indoors gets boring in a hurry. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to see it built. But I think they will be in for a rude awakening during thoses months.

But in this case, i wuld love to be proven wrong.

In this day & age trying to build a MOTORCYCLE track is a huge fight.
Battle ground, Prineville Adventure park (MX track) they've tried for a long time to get a new track started at Madras (up on the hill).

There's just not enough State or county dollars in letting people build tracks.
Think about it, they'll use every environmental excuse in the book to stop the building of a 10-20 acre race track but rip'n miles of land and laying blacktop & concrete to build tax generating homes is OK.


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poeple have asked me at least 1 time everyday about this arena for years now. i have always wished it would go because there is a huge need in this climate for indoor. judging from rmc, 321, clark county hindsite , and salem the best solution will be size. if it is 86,000 sq ft it would probably be very popular as long as all the other factors like lighting, ventilation, and soil all fall into place. if people give up on the project it will die. how many are really involved? my guess is not enough. it is as easy sometimes as a post. email this guy at the city, tell him how you support spending money in his town and how nice it would be to have a local controlled place to ride. i sent him a letter , i hope i am not the only one. robert.maul@ci.battle-ground.wa.us;

Well, sending a letter is a good idea. And you may already know this, but Rob Maul is a rider himself. As far as I know, he's all for it. The last time I saw him, he told me it was the Corp of Engineers and the wetland issue that was one of the main holdups. And Donnie has jumped through every hoop that they have said to jump through, and they still say no.

And I saw Donnie a few weeks ago at Pro Cal, and of course, I asked him what was up. And while I don't remember his exact answer, it was basically "still waiting"

I hope the waiting pays off for everyone.

rob maul sent me a letter , and yes the city is all for it. as long as don and elaine do not give up on this they got my vote for encouragement. i will try to find the corps guy email address and post that, the sgueaky wheel gets the grease, right? all this guy has to do is sign some peice of paper, maybe he needs some help.