Batavia to host summer bicycle races
Batavia is gearing up for what promises to be an adrenaline-filled summer with a bicycle criterium, half marathon and triathlon set to take place in the city.
Kicking it off will be the Batavia Criterium May 26 in the downtown area. The bicycle race, in which contestants race on a closed-circuit course, is the first that the city has hosted. Mayor Jeff Schielke expressed hope that the event will draw crowds to Batavia's downtown business district, which has been impacted by the ongoing reconstruction of the Wilson Street Bridge.
"I'm optimistic and excited that these events will help the businesses who've had a slowdown in 2007. This is going to be our most action-packed, activity-filled summer," Schielke stated.
The Batavia Triathlon will have participants swimming at Quarry Beach Park, cycling on city streets and running along the Kane County Fox River Trail on June 8, and the first Foot Mechanics Half Madness half triathlon will take place August 31. Half marathon runners will wind through the downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.
The half triathlon is being organized by Multisport Madness. Vice president Sue Dziuban said that the 13.1 mile race is expected to draw about 800 entrants, and already has about fifty runners signed up.
Funds raised at the Foot Mechanics Half Madness race will benefit the Batavia Food Pantry, the Gerry Turrubiartes Memorial Fund, the Multisport Madness Kids Triathlon team and Team in Training.
Information and entry forms for the Foot Mechanics Half Madness race can be found at www.halfmadness.com.
Sculpture plans available
Artists will be displaying their final concept drawings and plans for a proposed sculpture for Batavia's yet-to-be completed Wilson Street Bridge on Monday, March 10 on the second floor of the City of Batavia building, 100 N. Island Ave. The public is invited.
Sixteen submissions will be on display, said Batavia City Administrator Bill McGrath.
Working with independent judges, the Community Development Committee will whittle the submissions to three or four finalists. Those finalists will then be asked to build models of their artworks for further review. The Batavia City Council will ultimately select a winner, said McGrath.
"There will be four sculptures to be put on the bridge, one in each of the next four years," McGrath explained. "The four themes for the sculptures are nature, history, science and art."
The sculptures will be sited in each of the four lookout areas to be constructed on the bridge.
"We hope to have even more entries in the next few years. Hopefully it will gain steam," McGrath said.
For more information contact the city of Batavia.
New building coming
A single-story commercial building at 217 W. Wilson St. in Batavia will be demolished to make way for a two-story building, which will house a blend of commercial and residential space.
The Batavia Historic Preservation Committee and Community Development Committee agreed that the building is in a severely deteriorated state.
Conceptual plans for a two-story brick building have already been approved by the two committees. A medical and wellness center is planned for the ground floor, with residential space on the second story. A loft area and terrace space are also planned.
Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke said that he hopes similar reconstruction projects will soon move forward.
"I think people are seeing that there are lots of positive things going on here. People can see how beautiful it will be once things are finished," Schielke said.