CYCLEDROME
On June 2, 1925 the Providence Cycledrome officially opened off North Main Street near the Providence-Pawtucket line. Its name is derived from its intended use as a bicycle racing stadium (velodrome). Cycling was immensely popular in Rhode Island and the Cycledrome attracted the leading cyclists from all over the world. The racing venue replaced the Cycledrome on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston (1919-24) and was a larger and faster track. Motor-paced and sprint racing drew crowds of over 10,000 spectators and hosted the "Race of Nations" and "The Golden Wheel" racing classics and national championships.
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The stadium was also home to the Providence Steam Roller football team who played their games in the infield of the velodrome. The football field was snugly surrounded by a wooden track with steeply-banked ends which cut sharply into the end zones and reduced them to just five yards in depth. During football games temporary seating was permitted on the straight-away portion of the track which was so close to the field that players, after being tackled, often found themselves in the stands. In 1930 floodlights were installed at the stadium for night games and the Steam Roller became the first NFL team to host a game under lights. The undefeated Providence Huskies football team also played their only professional season there in 1933.
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Cycle racing and professional football were not the only entertainment at the Cycledrome. It also hosted high school, college and semi-pro football contests. Providence College football played their games at the Cycledrome. Professional soccer played several league and national matches as well. The final American Cup in 1929 was taken here by the Providence Gold Bugs of the Amercian Soccer League by beating the New York Nationals 2-2 and 4-2. In June of 1931 the champions of Scotland, Ireland, the Glasgow Celtics, invaded the Cycledrome to face off against the Pawtucket Rangers on the pitch.
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The Providence Caledonian Society sponsored their annual Scottish games there. Outdoor boxing and wrestling were main events too. Young Montreal, bantamweight contender, of Providence fought outdoors in front of local fans in 1925. In 1937 the site was leveled and sports promoter Pete Laudati (owner of the Cycledrome) built the 500-car E.M. Loew’s Theater (the second drive-in movie theatre in the nation).
