YHS all-weather track now complete
BY EARLENE WARD - FOR THE SIERRA STAR

SUBMITTED
The new all-weather surface nine-lane track at Yosemite High School opened for public use Wednesday. In addition to the track, the broad jump, high jump and pole vault areas are covered with the all-weather surface. A total of 10,000 California recycled tires were used for the surface.

The new all-weather surface, nine-lane track at Yosemite High School has been completed and was opened for public use Wednesday.

The track is open to the public before school, after school and on weekends.
The $360,000 project was funded by a $100,000 grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board and Yosemite Joint Union High School District developer fees.

YHS Principal Steve Raupp said, “we are pleased to announce that the new track is open for public use. It is a wonderful facility and we are extremely proud to make it available to the public and we look forward to hosting track meets this spring.”

Raupp notes that the facility was largely done a few weeks ago but was not open to the public because a few safety issues still needed to be addressed.

Raupp asks the public’s cooperation in maintaining the facility. Walkers and joggers are asked to keep their activities confined to the outside lanes in order to minimize the wear and tear on the high traffic areas of the track.

Soccer and football shoes are not allowed on the all-weather surface at any time.

“We ask the public’s cooperation to help us maintain this high quality facility,” he says.

Raupp notes that sunflower seeds, chewing gum and soft drinks are also not allowed on the track as they could damage the surface.

The all-weather surface is made from 10,000 California recycled tires.

In addition to the track surface, the long-jump, broad-jump and pole vault areas were also surfaced with recycled tires.

Widening of the track required a reconfiguration of the football field and bleachers.

This work was completed in time for the Class of 2004 graduation in June. The track surfacing took place over the summer.

The entire project was completed at a cost of $1.2 million with funds for the stadium renovation coming from developer fees.

New lights were installed at the facility the last week of August. Raupp says the facility will be in excellent shape for the YHS opening home football game Sept. 24.

Projects at the track and stadium also included new sod for the football field, renovation of the drainage system on the field, additional bleachers, a press box and concession stand and fencing.

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