They were big 100 years ago --- even here in Utah.

Saltair boasted an indoor velodrome.

Now, a relatively new organization, the Salt Lake Velodrome Association, wants to bring track cycling back to Utah.

Both Draper and Ogden are considering building the oval structures characterized by steeply banked wooden tracks. In Olympic competitions, cyclists ride velodrome tracks on two-wheelers outfitted with only one gear and no brakes.

Draper could consider building an open-air structure, while Ogden is looking at building an indoor velodrome. In that event, Draper could opt to build the track surface of something other than wood.

Tuesday, the Draper City Council adopted a resolution supporting a velodrome at Lynn Ballard Ball Park, 13500 South 1500 East.

"It's something I saw as an opportunity to bring to Draper that would fit well into the community," said Councilman Jeff Stenquist. "I see it also as an economic development opportunity" because it would bring competitions from across the United States and beyond.

There are no velodromes between Colorado Springs and Los Angeles, he noted.

Tuesday's vote was nonbinding and means only that Draper and the Salt Lake Velodrome Association will continue discussions and will begin to determine where funding for such a facility would come, said Public Works Director David Decker.

"It's very conceptual still. We've done a conceptual site plan," Decker said. "The resolution is an opportunity for us to sit down [with the association] and see if we can get something done."

The Salt Lake Velodrome Association is a grass-roots organization that sprang up in 2007, said one of its founders, John Newell.

"At the turn of the [20th] century, Salt Lake City was a Mecca for track cycling," Newell said. "We're just trying to bring a world-class facility here."

Today, there are about 800 velodromes worldwide. But only 20 in the United States, he noted.

Utah is known for its mountain biking. And the popularity of road racing, as well as recreational road cycling, has been increasing dramatically in the Beehive State.

A velodrome is a "missing ingredient" on the Utah cycling scene, Newell said.

Such a facility also could offer in-line skating and other activities, he noted. The skating, however, would not be done on the bike track.

The elevation along the Wasatch Front is perfect for track racing, according to Newell.

"It's high enough to take advantage of thinner air. But it's not so high as to lack oxygen," he said.

And, like the Kearns ice oval, a Utah velodrome could be a place where world records are shattered.

csmart@sltrib.com