Potential Track Project at JCSD

JCSD is in desperate need of a new track. The current track has been here for at least 30 years. In those years, there has been minimal work/maintenance done. In addition to being decades old, the track does not meet current specifications.

The track is currently measured in yards. In 1978, track and field moved to meters. At our junior high meets we are currently running events such as the 220 yard dash, the 440 yard dash, etc. These are races that are similar to the 200 M and the 400 M, but will be different on our track due to where the curves and straight aways are for the race.

The track has remained a cinder track over the years. This type of track requires quite a bit of maintenance to ensure that it is in good shape for track season. This will include raking up of tree debris and dragging the track multiple times to fill in low spots and smooth the surface. We often have standing water on the track also when it rains which will also will compromise the surface of the track.

Space is limited, especially when it comes to practicing field events such as high jump and long jump.

With the current condition of our track facilities, our students are at a disadvantage compared to their peers with all-weather surfaces. All high school competitions, including district and state competitions, are held on all-weather surfaces, so the only experience our students get with those conditions are at their meets.

Superintendent Meaney states, “I would love to redo the track to provide our students with a 6 or 8 lane track with a proper surface. Our students are at a competitive disadvantage by having to practice on one surface, and compete on another.  We often bus our kids to other surfaces on occasion for practice, but that is not a good solution.”

Mr. Meaney has met with an architect but the preliminary numbers he was given were not even close to something that the school could afford. There would be work that the school would need to do before a more firm number could be given. It is safe to assume that this potential project would cost around $900,000.  When we dropped the PPEL after our GO vote, we were left without a lot of wiggle room for facilities/buses/leases out of our PPEL/LOST.  

In order for this project to happen, it would have to take a community fundraising effort.  Mr. Meaney is seeking a community committee chair and leaders to spearhead the fundraising effort to make a new track a reality!