Repairs almost complete at new Southwest track
Southwest Schools is nearing completion of the track put in last year. Issues with the size of the oval and slope led to the construction company having to fix the track. Repairs are expected to be completed soon, and it will be reopened for public use.
June 10,2015
Charlea Mills
After issues discovered last fall regarding the new track put in at Southwest Schools, the track is finally almost complete, and this time, the right way.
The Southwest School District opted to put in a new track at the school last year with a price tag of around $350,000 from the school’s general revenue building fund. The school’s plans were to use the track for the school’s boys and girls track and field teams as well as cross country teams and physical education classes. As an added bonus, the school was available to residents of the school district to use for walking and jogging for exercise.
The project was bid and completed in the fall, but issues were discovered with the track after it was completed by construction company Nabholz Construction Services. Southwest Superintended Bob walker said, “Last fall, it was discovered that the oval was slightly off from its required dimensions, as well as not having the necessary slope in places.”
To remedy the issue, Nabholz was contacted and brought back out to complete the necessary repairs to the track so that it can be utilized once again. Currently, a sign hangs on the gate alerting students and residents of the district to the status of the track and to prevent it from being used.
The changes made to the track include fixing the dimensions and the slope. Walker said, “Extra area is being created around the entire perimeter of the oval to ensure the track will meet official specifications and measure correctly. In addition, the lack of slope and crowning problems will be resolved. The corrective measures have all been done. We are waiting for the track to receive a new asphalt overlay that will result in a smooth surface, tying in and covering the corrective base work.”
Walker said that the area will be reopened for use as soon as the overlay is completed. He said, “We are waiting for the asphalt overlay to be applied. Recent rains have delayed this process. As soon as we have a decent break from all the rain we have been receiving and the area can dry out sufficiently, the contractor will finish as soon as possible.”
Last fall, Walker said, “There are several reasons for deciding to pursue this project. Obviously, our track kids have been at a big disadvantage in not having a workout facility. Physical education classes have had limited space for outside activities. And finally, transforming a piece of unsuitable property into a safe exercise area should be beneficial to the health of many others outside of our student body.”
Charlea Mills
After issues discovered last fall regarding the new track put in at Southwest Schools, the track is finally almost complete, and this time, the right way.
The Southwest School District opted to put in a new track at the school last year with a price tag of around $350,000 from the school’s general revenue building fund. The school’s plans were to use the track for the school’s boys and girls track and field teams as well as cross country teams and physical education classes. As an added bonus, the school was available to residents of the school district to use for walking and jogging for exercise.
The project was bid and completed in the fall, but issues were discovered with the track after it was completed by construction company Nabholz Construction Services. Southwest Superintended Bob walker said, “Last fall, it was discovered that the oval was slightly off from its required dimensions, as well as not having the necessary slope in places.”
To remedy the issue, Nabholz was contacted and brought back out to complete the necessary repairs to the track so that it can be utilized once again. Currently, a sign hangs on the gate alerting students and residents of the district to the status of the track and to prevent it from being used.
The changes made to the track include fixing the dimensions and the slope. Walker said, “Extra area is being created around the entire perimeter of the oval to ensure the track will meet official specifications and measure correctly. In addition, the lack of slope and crowning problems will be resolved. The corrective measures have all been done. We are waiting for the track to receive a new asphalt overlay that will result in a smooth surface, tying in and covering the corrective base work.”
Walker said that the area will be reopened for use as soon as the overlay is completed. He said, “We are waiting for the asphalt overlay to be applied. Recent rains have delayed this process. As soon as we have a decent break from all the rain we have been receiving and the area can dry out sufficiently, the contractor will finish as soon as possible.”
Last fall, Walker said, “There are several reasons for deciding to pursue this project. Obviously, our track kids have been at a big disadvantage in not having a workout facility. Physical education classes have had limited space for outside activities. And finally, transforming a piece of unsuitable property into a safe exercise area should be beneficial to the health of many others outside of our student body.”
