A number of track and field athletes and their parents are lobbying for a new surface to run on at Western Albemarle High School. They say the current track is not safe.
If government can’t provide it, why not fundraise for it?
New Track wanted at WAHS
Encircling the brand new turf field at Western Albemarle High School is a crumbling track featuring bubbles and patches with open seams.nnInside the WAHS trophy display case outside the main gym, the majority of the trophies are from the boys and girls cross country and track teams.nnThe banners hanging in the gym for the boys and girls cross country and track teams feature yearly listings for district, regional or state championships. Western Albemarle High School is known throughout the state running community as a cross country and track powerhouse.nnWAHS cannot host home meets on their own track. Last springu2019s outdoor meet was held at Monticello High School, where Western parents had to pay $5 each to attend the meet for which they were providing the on-the-field volunteer labor. MHS ran the concession stand and made the profits.nnOn the weekends, the WAHS track is nearly always in use by community members.nnWhile the track continues to deteriorate, our first class athletes will continue to feel like they only warrant third class facilities. Since December, a gravel “bridge” has been in place over part of the track to allow access for heavy equipment to build the new turf field, so the track teams cannot complete a circuit of the track.nnNot only do our student athletes excel on the track, they excel in the classroom and in the community. The hard work and discipline required in their sport are applied to their school work; recent graduates are attending MIT, Stanford, the Naval Academy and the University of Virginia. Team members receive Division I or Div. II track scholarship offers on a yearly basis. The teams consistently produce nationally ranked runners, including this year. nnWhat can you do to help?nnThe WAHS track is in the Countyu2019s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for replacement in 2012. Apparently, the school board and county supervisors are unaware of the condition of the track. Friends of Western Albemarle Cross Country Track & Field are asking the community to contact both boards and ask them to keep the track replacement in the CIP for 2012. With a commitment that the scheduled replacement stays in the plan, we could begin to fundraise to help defray the cost and maybe even move up the timeline.nnI invite you to visit WAHS and see the track for yourselves. While there, take a look at the trophy case. Come to a practice after school and meet our bright, polite and dedicated athletes, who represent sportsmanship at its best. The community rallied around the new turf field that benefits several WAHS teams as well as rec sports on the weekends. Let’s do the same for the track.nnPlease help us advocate for keeping the track replacement in the CIP for 2012.nnKim ConnollynPresident, Friends of Western Albemarle Cross Country, Track & Fieldn
Kim, facing the same problems in Greene County. It S.U.C.K.S. and terribly wrong.
Excellent points. Certainly the community at large can help out and hopefully move the timeline up.nnCorrection re new turf field.nnWhile there were many interested folks involved only one anonymous person really stepped up and put money into the turf field.