Track resurfacing one week away from final approval

The construction project to resurface the aging MHCC running track has been given the go-ahead by President’s Executive Cabinet.

A proposal for action will be submitted at the district board meeting on Wednesday, where approvals will be made final.

The track at the Earl L. Klapstein Stadium is two decades old. As result of an aged surface, MHCC track and field coaches say the track has lost its “bounce,” providing less support and cushion for anyone using the track that has lead to injury issues (such as shin splints) for athletes for the last several seasons.

Kim Hyatt, MHCC director of athletics, said, “The track is approximately 20 years old and it is a project that has been long overdue.”

The track’s condition was heavily discussed from the time Hyatt started in her position three years ago.

“I did a full assessment of all of our facilities and worked with our facilities team and our faculty and staff to prioritize our most immediate concerns,” she said. “The resurfacing of the track and correcting the drainage problems with the baseball field were our two biggest concerns.”

No final figure for the costs is yet available, but Hyatt said, “the early estimate is $298,000.”

This estimate is in line with cost projections made earlier this year at the Student Finance Council, which also played a significant role in the funding for the resurfacing.

At the 2013-14 Student Finance Council meeting on Feb. 5, the athletic programs moved to set aside $150,000 from their contingency funds for track resurfacing. To cover remaining costs, the Facilities Council put aside an additional $150,000, giving the proposed construction project $300,000.

During the February meeting, the baseball field also was discussed. Members of both the MHCC softball and baseball teams voted against the funding of the track resurfacing given the poor condition of the baseball field.

A tentative schedule for the track work has been set.

“Until the bid is approved by the board we cannot finalize the construction dates, but our goal is a two-week period between July 22 and Aug. 22,” Hyatt said.

“Once the board approves the project we will set up the dates to get the project completed,” she said.

Advocate Staff