By Scott Halasz
XENIA — More upgrades are coming to Doug Adams Stadium.
The Xenia Community School District Board of Education Monday approved a contract with Vasco Sports Contractors of Massillon to install an 8-lane polyurethane track at a cost of approximately $693,000. The district installed a turf field at the stadium in mid-2015.
“XCS is always looking at ways to improve the district whether it be in the classroom, course offerings, and/or the facilities,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Christy Fielding. “When looking at facilities, the district does not currently have a track and field facility that can be utilized for competitions. We have 150 to 200 student athletes each year at either Warner Middle School or Xenia High School that participate in our program. The district felt the approval of a new track and field facility at Doug Adams Stadium would impact a large amount of students, help build the track program, and be one more major improvement to the stadium.”
In addition to the track, the facility will have two long jump runways, two pole vault runways, space for up to three high jump areas, one discus cage and one shot put area. It is anticipated that the track will be black with blue exchange zones to coordinate with the existing turf, Fielding said.
The track will not be ready for the 2017 track and field season, but it will be completed before the 2017 fall sports season begins, according to Fielding. Once it’s finished, the district will be able to host track meets.
“It’s always a benefit to have a home field advantage,” Fielding said.
The project is being paid for with money from the general fund. However the district is seeking ways to offset that cost.
“We will look for sponsors for additional equipment such as new hurdles or track protection mats for when soccer and football are using the turf,” Fielding said.
