Leopard Stadium Track and Field Discussed at Monday’s Board Meeting

In February of 2019, the board discussed the condition of the existing track. It was determined that the current track was possibly in need of replacement. It was installed in 2000 and was showing signs of age through cracks, bare patches, and uneven surfaces and has deteriorated even further since February 2019. These conditions are potential hazards for physical education students, athletes, and even community members who use the track regularly for exercise.

The replacement of the track and possible turf field was a goal of the LEPS Foundation Phase 2 Project. Phase 1 called for the replacement of the home bleachers and moving the general admission sections that were on the home side to the visitors’ side. All this was accomplished in 2016. However, since that time, the foundation continued to struggle to raise funds for Phase 2. The track has become a need. A solution at that time to possibly help with the LEPS Foundation Phase 2 would be for the district to assume the cost of the track replacement and allow the foundation to focus on raising funds for the turf field. However, fundraising for the field did not materialize and the foundation has ceased raising funds for the project.

At that time, the board approved allocating funds from the Capital Projects Fund in an amount sufficient to cover the cost for the design and construction of a new track at Leopard Stadium. Those funds are still available for this project.

Since funds for the turf field will not become available through fund raising efforts, the district has decided to proceed with gathering information for the possibility of installing a track and turf field in the near future. In order to have a turf field ready for the 2021 football season, the process needs to start soon.

Preliminary estimates are that a new track and turf field would cost in the range of $2-2.5 million. Currently, the district has $1,043,157 available in the Capital Projects Fund. The additional funds could be accessed through fund balance. The administration will gather more information and report back at the December meeting.