SOUTH WAYNE - The Black Hawk School District, along with community partners, is beginning the effort to refurbish the track.
After more than six years of the track not being used for competition, the district along with interested community members have decided to front an effort to restore the track.
Many transformations have taken place to the track and field facilities in South Wayne throughout the history of the track and field facilities. The track was built more than 33 years ago. At the time of construction, one of the compelling arguments for its construction was to have a place for athletes to train other than on the streets. There was a desire to hold competitions within the Black Hawk School District.
Over the 33-plus year history of the track, some of the changes that have occurred included:
1. The discuss competition site was moved from the football field area to the elementary. playground.
2. The shot put competition site was moved from outside the track to the center of the track.
3. One of the two long jump/triple jump pits was eliminated.
4. The pole vault pit and competition area was eliminated.
5. The track was resurfaced more than once during its longevity.
Options have been explored over the last several years to replace or remove the track. Many contractors in the last few stated the blacktop would need to be totally removed and replaced in order for the facilities to be safely used. A bid from as recently as two years ago came in at $87,900 for the blacktop track replacement and lining. The most recent bid also included additional charges of a long/triple jump approach of $5,746, new landing pits at $3,248, and an optional rubberized surface of $46,898. The reality of the situation is that the District could not afford the cost of the replacement of the track and chose to leave the track in the dilapidated state.
An ongoing conversation about the condition of the track, the direction the district is going to take for the future, and an impetus provided by Powers Auction Service have brought the district to the present plan of attack.
The School District of Black Hawk, along with many supporters of the District, intends to fundraise for the repair of the track. The plans include a raffle, setting up an account in the Woodford State Bank for donations, seeking and applying for grants, a radio-athon, a homecoming breakfast, and various other fund raising ideas.
The plan to repair the track included the following steps. Cutting away sections of track that have major cracks, backfilling the areas with new blacktop, and rolling. Surfacing the whole track with two inches of new asphalt and relining the track to regulation. Other steps during the process will include placing additional tiling in the infield to allow the water dispersion, and to build a new wider long/triple approach and landing pit. The estimated cost for the project is around $50,000 which includes the paving from a professional company, donated excavating efforts, cost of tile, and cost of other supplies.
The School District of Black Hawk personnel and district supporters are looking forward to implementing the fundraising efforts.
The end result is for the track facilities to be rebuilt in the summer of 2013 ready for use for the 2014 track and field season.
After more than six years of the track not being used for competition, the district along with interested community members have decided to front an effort to restore the track.
Many transformations have taken place to the track and field facilities in South Wayne throughout the history of the track and field facilities. The track was built more than 33 years ago. At the time of construction, one of the compelling arguments for its construction was to have a place for athletes to train other than on the streets. There was a desire to hold competitions within the Black Hawk School District.
Over the 33-plus year history of the track, some of the changes that have occurred included:
1. The discuss competition site was moved from the football field area to the elementary. playground.
2. The shot put competition site was moved from outside the track to the center of the track.
3. One of the two long jump/triple jump pits was eliminated.
4. The pole vault pit and competition area was eliminated.
5. The track was resurfaced more than once during its longevity.
Options have been explored over the last several years to replace or remove the track. Many contractors in the last few stated the blacktop would need to be totally removed and replaced in order for the facilities to be safely used. A bid from as recently as two years ago came in at $87,900 for the blacktop track replacement and lining. The most recent bid also included additional charges of a long/triple jump approach of $5,746, new landing pits at $3,248, and an optional rubberized surface of $46,898. The reality of the situation is that the District could not afford the cost of the replacement of the track and chose to leave the track in the dilapidated state.
An ongoing conversation about the condition of the track, the direction the district is going to take for the future, and an impetus provided by Powers Auction Service have brought the district to the present plan of attack.
The School District of Black Hawk, along with many supporters of the District, intends to fundraise for the repair of the track. The plans include a raffle, setting up an account in the Woodford State Bank for donations, seeking and applying for grants, a radio-athon, a homecoming breakfast, and various other fund raising ideas.
The plan to repair the track included the following steps. Cutting away sections of track that have major cracks, backfilling the areas with new blacktop, and rolling. Surfacing the whole track with two inches of new asphalt and relining the track to regulation. Other steps during the process will include placing additional tiling in the infield to allow the water dispersion, and to build a new wider long/triple approach and landing pit. The estimated cost for the project is around $50,000 which includes the paving from a professional company, donated excavating efforts, cost of tile, and cost of other supplies.
The School District of Black Hawk personnel and district supporters are looking forward to implementing the fundraising efforts.
The end result is for the track facilities to be rebuilt in the summer of 2013 ready for use for the 2014 track and field season.
