July 6, 2020 Update
Update on opening application – We received a written request for additional information this afternoon from SCCPR. Primarily clarification on a few items, and updating some info to align with the ever changing Health Department requirements. This is still going to take a bit, but we are progressing forward.
June 22, 2020 Update
On June 15th, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department (SCCPR) reopened Hellyer Park access and the dog park. In addition to Hellyer Park access, facilities such as the Metcalf Motorcycle Park and campgrounds are now open.
“Low risk park activities including boating, golf courses, archery ranges, field sports, disc golf courses and small outdoor ceremonies or religious gatherings are able to reopen under Public Health restrictions. Boating, golf courses, archery ranges, disc golf are open for public use following COVID19 Protocols. Field Sports Park will be reopened for reservations only on June 15th. Dog parks at Ed Levin, Los Gatos Creek and Hellyer are now open.” – SCCPR
We have been in communication with our County liaison and have been encouraged to submit a reopening proposal. This week the Board will submit a detailed proposal packet, requesting permission to reopen the Hellyer Park Velodrome for limited socially distanced use.
Once received, our submittal will be forwarded to a Parks review team, who will then determine if the Velodrome can:
1) reopen as proposed, or
2) with modifications to the proposal, or
3) not at all.
As always, we respect the SCCPR team, and any decision they make in regard to opening facilities during this unprecedented time.
It is expected that review of the proposal and final rulings will take approximately a week. We will keep you posted.
NCVA Board
May 19, 2020 Update
Hope this update finds everyone doing well and managing the SiP as best they can.
The Hellyer Park Velodrome remains closed. Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation re-opened some low risk park facilities last week, where you can recreate alone or with members of the same household.
We support the County’s decision, and re-opening approach. To the best of our knowledge the Velodrome side of Hellyer Park (which is primarily comprised group picnic sites) remains closed.
It is unclear at this time if the Velodrome will be part of the States/Counties Phase 3 or 4 re-opening.
You can find more information here on what is open in the parks system:
https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Pages/covid-19-update.aspx
There will be a time that turning left will resume. Until then follow your County’s SiP, and together we will get through this.
Your NCVA Board
May 9, 2020 Update
Good afternoon Hellyer Community,
We want to keep you apprised of our progress working with Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation (SCCPR) to reopen Hellyer in a limited capacity per the County Ordinance dated 5/4/20. Our progress toward opening has been positive. We’ve submitted the required forms and a outline of how we plan to meet both the CDC and SCCPR requirements.
The County has complimented us on our submittals, which are being reviewed as part of SCCPR’s overall re-opening. SCCPR is currently working on re-opening their parks.
Hellyer is still closed. Below is a note pulled from their website:
“We are working diligently towards reopening many of our activities in our parks but are required to meet safety protocols as issued by the County’s public health order. This will take some time to comply with the health order but we are working diligently toward that goal.”
Hopefully we will be contacted this week with an opening date. As a Board we are targeting the week of May 18th. This date has not been approved, but we are hopeful that it is a realistic target.
As we prepare to reopen, please familiarize yourself with some of the requirements you as a rider need to follow for this first phase of opening.
– Online pre-registration and payment (this will be opened up once the opening has been confirmed)
– All waivers filled out online only
– Attendance limit of 10, pre-registration required (we may be able to increase this after a few weeks)
– Bring your own water (water fountains are turned off or covered)
– Maintain proper separation throughout the session
– No group warm ups or group riding on the track
– Warm up on a stationary trainer on the infield (minimum of 6ft separation)
– Use of mask should situations arise and social distance cannot be maintained. (face covering in your possession/readily available required)
– Hand sanitizer accessible on the infield
– Sanitize tables and chairs after each session
– No rental equipment allowed
It is our hope that we can increase the number of sessions normally offered in anticipation of demand and the need created by the limitation of attendance. This next week we will be building out the session schedule, putting the final touches on our new online store, setting up the infield for ‘social distances’, posting signage, and procuring sanitation supplies.
WE NEED HELP procuring sanitation supplies:
1) 1-2 gallons of bleach or other approved product
2) 2-4 spray bottles
3) Paper towels (regular or industrial)
4) Hand sanitizer (we have ½ of a large bottle)
If you have items you can donate or items we can purchase from you, please email me directly gatoratbat@yahoo.com(Annabell). The procurement of these items is critical to our ability to open the Track.
The prospect of opening up the track is exciting. Your Board is working hard to make this happen. And will continue to keep you updated with our progress.
Keep turning left,
Annabell – NCVA Vice President
April 30, 2020 Update
We have reached out to our Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation liaison to see if our assessments are in alignment. The answer and potential approvals to this question will likely take up to a week.
In the meantime, your Board is prepping as if we will be able to resume attendance-limited training sessions. This preparation includes, developing an online session pre-payment and reservation system, and a ‘Safe Distance’ session operational plan. So fill out your online waivers if you don’t already have one. Paper waivers and payment on site will not be available.
https://hellyervelodrome.com/rider-info/waivers
Stay tuned – you’ll know as soon as we know.
Your Hellyer Board
March 20, 2020 Update
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving, unprecedented public health crisis that has necessitated several emergency measures to keep the community safe and help slow the spread of the disease.
On March 19, 2020, the Governor of CA issued a Shelter in Place Order (EO) for the entire State. This EO is effective until further notice from the Governor. The EO is in alignment with what has already been issued by the Counties here in northern California.
The Velodrome will remain closed during this crisis and in accordance with EOs.
Your Hellyer Board met last night via phone. We brainstormed options for a nimble return to operation, assisting our sponsors through this time, and how we might be able to enhance the Velodrome while it is closed (within the current guidelines). We also discussed, refunding or extending the time period for those of you who have made annual purchases. We will address this once this crisis is over.
In the meantime, do everything you can to keep yourself and your community healthy. Protect yourself, practice social distancing, assist those most at risk, and when you ride outdoors, ride solo, or 6ft apart.
Hellyer Velodrome Board
March 15, 2020 Update
This morning, March 15th, USA Cycling sent out a communique stating that they had cancelled all event permits through April 5th. In addition they are asking that all race directors, clubs, athletes, and members follow suit and cancel any gatherings, including group rides and in-person meetings.
Effective immediately, the Hellyer Velodrome will be closed through April 5th in accordance with USAC’s latest memo and the constricting guidelines of our local agencies. Hopefully all of this social distancing will have the impact we need to curb the escalation of this virus.
Hellyer Velodrome Board
USA Cycling Memo
“Due to the latest data on COVID-19’s spread and the healthcare system’s ability to manage this crisis, USA Cycling is recommending cancellation of all sanctioned events immediately and calling on all race and event directors, clubs, coaches, athletes, and members to postpone or cancel all scheduled races and events immediately. This includes any gatherings such as group rides, in-person group meetings, etc.
We are suspending permits on all events through April 5th.
USA Cycling will continue to monitor and meet with partners to assess the state of this national emergency and its impact on the cycling community.
We are taking measures within our control and asking everyone involved in this sport to protect our community so we can get back to riding and racing with everyone in good health as soon as possible.”
