SOUTHWICK – Residents and students could be running on the new high school track by the end of the month.
Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools Superintendent Dr. John Barry told the school committee this week that the track is nearly complete, but that the track cost is over budget by nearly $10,000.
“There is a cost overrun,” said Barry. “It’s not significant, but it’s there.”
Barry said another $9,547 is needed to finish the track, plus there is an additional cost for a sign dedicating the track to coach and former teacher Dick Atkinson, as well as Steven Nielson, a STGRHS graduate who donated the bulk of the track construction cost through the Steven and Elizabeth Nielsen Gift Fund.
Barry said he spoke to Nielsen about the shortage and he was willing to give additional funds to offset the cost. Barry said he would come back to the committee at it’s next meeting for permission to use approximately $15,000 of capital funds. He also said he wanted to proceed with a dedication ceremony this month even without a sign.
“Mr. Nielsen will be here in mid-October,” said Barry. “And when I spoke with him he made a good point about making the track available to the community.”
Landscaping and seeding are the big remaining projects.
“There’s no reason the cross-country team can’t be running on it or the community can’t be walking on it,” he said.
Barry said he would coordinate and bring the committee a date for the dedication and opening this month.
Nielsen, who lives in Florida, approached Barry about building a new track last fall. The remaining items left on the track include landscaping and seeding. Barry said they could place signs around asking people to keep off the areas that are seeded, but the track itself could be used.
