Constellation Similarity Assertions

The Southland Corporation was founded in Dallas, Texas in 1927, when their retail ice outlets sold milk, bread and eggs. Today, Southland is the world's largest operator and franchisor of convenience stores, the 13th largest retailer in the United States, with 7,033 7-Eleven stores in the U.S.A. and Canada. Southland's subsidiaries include the Chief Auto Parts stores and Adohr Farms. In the beginning stages of planning for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics, Jere Thompson, president of the Southland Corporation went to the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee's president, Peter Ueberroth, and said they wanted to be involved. Ueberroth recommended funding of the velodrome. Even though the principals knew little about cycling, Southland liked the idea in tying the concept of bicycling to 7-Eleven stores. The sites considered were: CSU, Dominguez Hills, Harbor College, Wilmington, CSU, Northridge, Claremont Men's College and the City of San Diego. Factors in the site selection were: site and soil suitability, accessibility to major and surface arteries, proximity to major utilities, lowest total construction cost and shortest completion schedule. CSU, Dominguez Hills was able to add to their proposal the donation of a 6.5 acre parcel to the LAOOC for the velodrome, and their Board of Trustees authorized construction in their November, 1980 meeting. On February 5, 1981, CSU, Dominguez Hills was awarded the Olympic Velodrome. The Olympic Velodrome is the only world class cycling track in western United States and the only one in the world on a university campus. Velodrome specification include: length, 333.33 meters (1,093 ft.); width, 7 meters (23 feet); bank turns, 33 degrees; attainable speeds up to 72 kilometers (47 miles) per hour; permanent seating, 2,000; Olympic seating capacity, 8,000 and velodrome surface of poured concrete track on concrete fill. The cost of the velodrome was $3 million, and the contractor: Stolte, Inc. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on July 9, 1981 at the construction site. The ceremonies were kicked off at 10:15am with a race between Eric Heiden and challengers from the media, followed by a 10-lap club race by The South, Bay Wheelmen. Visitors from the Southland Corporation, Stolte Corporation officials and representatives from LAOOC were present. On May 10, 1982, the International Cycling Federation Certification (FIAC) was received. The first trial high speed run performed by Jack Simes, 3-time U.S. Olympic Cycling team member and 2-time team coach, occurred on January 21, 1982. The grand opening occurred July 8, 1982 with Eric Heiden (1980 Lake Placid 5 Gold Medal winner for speedskating) and Sheila Ochowicz (1976 Winter Games-Innsbruck, Gold Medal winner of 500 meter speedskating), cycling the first official lap. The grand opening ceremony was a three day event with July 9 and 10 devoted to the Grand Prix Finals. 3,000 people attended, including Sam, the Eagle the official XXIII Olympiad mascot. The Grand Prix Finals were a series of bicycle track events to improve American cyclists at the international level. Emphasis was placed on Olympic track events, match sprints, individual pursuit, the kilometer and the points race. September 17 and 18, 1982 the SCCF 20th Annual Far West Championships were held at the completed velodrome, and October 3, 1982 the 8th International Human Powered Speed Championships were held. This event was held specifically for the unique pedal-powered vehicles. Among the many uses envisioned for the velodrome by the university are developmental classes and training, maintenance exercise/conditioning and cycling as a means of cardiac rehabilitation. Aspects of research related to sports medicine could lead to degrees in biomechanics, medical technology, sports and recreation with cycling emphasis. Public use time and races, both professional and amateur will be available. Goals include: to establish the most important collegiate center of cycling in the U.S.A.; development of cycling as a national sport and a youth cycling program. Auxilliary uses can be made of the infield for speed soccer games, volleyball, concerts and other entertainment. When the 1984 Olympics conclude, the Southland Corporation will donate the velodrome to the university. In order to continue their plans and development of the velodrome, the university has established a Foundation which will be responsible for operating and raising funds to run the velodrome whose costs are now estimated at $100,000 per year to run. (1983).

From the description of Olympic Velodrome Collection, 1979-1995 (California State University, Dominguez Hills). WorldCat record id: 683258023

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