MONROE - The track and field program at Monroe High School could get a new $150,000 track as early as next summer.
Tom Rufenacht, the Monroe School District's Director of Building and Grounds, is putting together a long-term maintenance plan that includes tearing up the asphalt track and base and installing a new eight-lane polyurethane track.
"We are at a point now where there is a lot of bubbling up," Rufenacht said. "When it gets like that, the track is gone. We are three years past due."
Rufenacht said the new polyurethane track would cost about $150,000. He is planning on using $75,000 from the 2014-15 long-term maintenance budget and $75,000 from the 2015-16 long-term maintenance budget to pay for the new track. Rufenacht said it's not written in stone that the track would be replaced next summer down to its base. He is gathering information and estimates on the track and will make a long-term maintenance presentation to the board next February or March in an effort to get school board approval.
The current track was installed in 2000. The track had a top resurfacing completed in 2008. Engineers from Inspec, Inc. of Milwaukee inspected the track at the high school and they would not back a plan to have the track resurfaced again just on the top.
"They wouldn't give a warranty on it," Rufenacht said. "You can repair and have the surface put on once, but you can't do it again because with all of the spots, it won't adhere. The track should last 12 to 14 years. They said if we get 15 years out of it that is pretty good."
Rufenacht said the polyurethane track is more durable and softer than the current track.
Monroe Athletic Director Dave Hirsbrunner said the facility is overdue for a new track.
"It will make it safer," Hirsbrunner said. "It won't affect the track team at all. Lane 1 is pretty shoddy. The older it gets, the harder it gets. If you are going to train and run on a hard surface, it is hard on your legs. You can also run faster times on a harder surface. It's not ideal right now, but we are making do."
Hirsbrunner pointed out that each time the track has needed to be resurfaced, the district has stretched out the timeframe to complete the work. There hasn't been any resurfacing since 2008, and now the track has run its course as it enters the 15th season. The track is used not only by the boys and girls track teams, but by physical education classes and community members.
"We have been very cost effective with the track," Hirsbrunner said. "It's long overdue."
Tom Rufenacht, the Monroe School District's Director of Building and Grounds, is putting together a long-term maintenance plan that includes tearing up the asphalt track and base and installing a new eight-lane polyurethane track.
"We are at a point now where there is a lot of bubbling up," Rufenacht said. "When it gets like that, the track is gone. We are three years past due."
Rufenacht said the new polyurethane track would cost about $150,000. He is planning on using $75,000 from the 2014-15 long-term maintenance budget and $75,000 from the 2015-16 long-term maintenance budget to pay for the new track. Rufenacht said it's not written in stone that the track would be replaced next summer down to its base. He is gathering information and estimates on the track and will make a long-term maintenance presentation to the board next February or March in an effort to get school board approval.
The current track was installed in 2000. The track had a top resurfacing completed in 2008. Engineers from Inspec, Inc. of Milwaukee inspected the track at the high school and they would not back a plan to have the track resurfaced again just on the top.
"They wouldn't give a warranty on it," Rufenacht said. "You can repair and have the surface put on once, but you can't do it again because with all of the spots, it won't adhere. The track should last 12 to 14 years. They said if we get 15 years out of it that is pretty good."
Rufenacht said the polyurethane track is more durable and softer than the current track.
Monroe Athletic Director Dave Hirsbrunner said the facility is overdue for a new track.
"It will make it safer," Hirsbrunner said. "It won't affect the track team at all. Lane 1 is pretty shoddy. The older it gets, the harder it gets. If you are going to train and run on a hard surface, it is hard on your legs. You can also run faster times on a harder surface. It's not ideal right now, but we are making do."
Hirsbrunner pointed out that each time the track has needed to be resurfaced, the district has stretched out the timeframe to complete the work. There hasn't been any resurfacing since 2008, and now the track has run its course as it enters the 15th season. The track is used not only by the boys and girls track teams, but by physical education classes and community members.
"We have been very cost effective with the track," Hirsbrunner said. "It's long overdue."
