It's a good time for a new track

JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News

Not that long ago, earlier this school year in fact, Columbia Falls School District 6 Superintendent Michael Nicosia and board trustees were discussing the condition of the high school track. They spoke about how the rubberized surface was deteriorating and that the track had to be resurfaced within the next two or three years.

Now is an opportune time to address the facility, which is used by track and field athletes and physical education students. During good weather the track also gets use by community walkers.

Financing such a renovation project is always an issue, and even more so in another year of school budget cuts. You always look for the best option — how to make the best use of the funds available.

There is a possibility that by the 2010 track season, next spring, athletes will have a new track surface on which to practice and compete. And, likely, the facility will not be at the current high school site.

Nicosia told trustees during Monday night's board meeting that the 15-year-old high school track is the No. 3 priority for the district, in terms of capital projects. There is a 40-yard-long crack in the track.

The septic system at Canyon Elementary School is first on the priority list, followed by the No. 2 boiler at Glacier Gateway Elementary. Stimulus money, one-time-only funds and dollars from the building fund will likely pay for those projects.

But where does the money come from for a new track, or at least a new surface?

The district has a tentative plan, and I believe it's the most viable option. That is to have a new Atlas rubberized surface installed on the current junior high track. It's a 10-lane oval with a solid base. Cover it with a new surface, stripe it and you're ready to run.

Money for the project at the junior high could come from the sale of surplus property at that location. During Monday's meeting, trustees voted unanimously to pass a resolution to "declare surplus property for disposal." That means selling 2.3 acres of land on the north side of the junior high property. The parcel is bordered by 13th Street on the north and Veterans Drive on the west. It's just west of the Fran Lou Subdivision.

There has been a request to purchase the parcel to build an assisted living center, so the resolution was needed to allow the sale. Unless there is taxpayer appeal by May 25, the property will be listed with a realtor.

Nicosia and trustees agree that the parcel, located just north of the softball field near the junior high, will not be used for future expansion of school facilities.

Having a solid track with a new surface at CFJH is a win-win for the high school and junior high. It could be used by students from both schools — for PE classes at CFJH and track team members, and for high school practice and meets.

With a quality 10-lane track, CFHS could host large meets, including Divisionals when Columbia Falls is up in the rotation in the conference. Athletic Director John Thompson said CFHS has hosted Divisionals twice since he's been the AD, but the meet was held in Whitefish and Kalispell since the current track does not have enough lanes for such a meet.

Imagine the economic impact of an invitational or Divisional meet at a 10-lane track. It would be significant, and our local economy needs all the help it can get.

What about parking and bleachers at CFJH? There is space for a new parking lot southeast of the junior high, just north of Talbott Road. That will definitely be needed if high school meets are held there. Some bleachers will be available for the junior high facility, and there could be money left from the sale of the parcel for new bleachers as well. There is also fencing around the facility proposed.

If the district sells the parcel and decides to develop the junior high track, the project could be started as early as this summer.

I see no reason why the district should not go ahead with the new surface at the CFJH track if the surplus property sells. The timing is perfect, given all the elements considered.

Joe Sova is the managing editor of the Hungry Horse News.