OPENING “SPEEDING PAST / PEDALARE NEL PASSATO” EXHIBIT AT THE ITALIAN CULTURAL CENTRE MUSEUM

Did you know that at Broadway and Glen Drive there was once a bicycle racing track?  In this unique, head-spinning display Il Museo presents the Italian-Canadian dimension in Vancouver cycling and the China Creek track where they once raced.  The exhibit opening will be May 23^rd at 12:30pm and will run until August 5^th.

“There used to be races every Wednesday and Saturday.  And everybody was there! They even sat on the grass!” says museum committee chair Laura Quilici, whose father raced at the China Creek track.

“My father and mother met because of the track,” she recalls, “he’d walk home after racing or practice by my mother’s house on 8^th Avenue hoping to see her.  One day she was in the yard and he asked for a glass of water.  I guess one thing led to another and they’ve been married for 49 years.”

Il Museo takes you on a ride into history with the story of Italian-Canadian bike racing and the Italian contribution to the sport of cycling.

Speeding Past / Pedalare Nel Passato will exhibit vintage track and road bikes, a visual record of China Creek track and exhibits from bicycle advocacy groups, free bike maintenance workshops and film showings.

For more information call Caelan Griffiths, Museum Curator at 604-430-3337 or email: curator@italianculturalcentre.ca

Hours: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 3pm.  Thursday 12 noon to 3:30pm.

Private Groups: Book a guided tour!  Groups can register for a private viewing with the curator.  Minimum 10 person group -- $30. Please call one week ahead to assure availability!