Published: April 10, 2009 08:22 pm      

Catlin board agrees to repair track

CATLIN — The Catlin School Board agreed to make repairs to the track, which will keep the surface in good shape for up to four more years.

This is the seventh season the track has been used in the district and not just by the high school and middle school track teams for meets and practices, but also for the many community members who walk it for exercise.

When it was originally installed, the district was told the track would need resurfaced about every five years, a project that can cost $40,000.

Instead of doing that this year, a bid from S. Bollinger and Associates of Hillsboro, Mo., was received and approved to repair the track in four to six areas that are worn. Also, the long jump board will be repaired.

The cost for the repairs is $2,000 and will extend the surface for another three to four years before a full resurfacing is to be done.

The bid includes all labor and materials and will be finished as soon as possible. Workers will be cutting out damaged areas of the runway and spackling in new rubber.

A concession stand that operates during track meets and other outdoor sports events brings in between $2,000 and $3,000 in revenue each year. Some of the money that has accumulated from those earnings will be used toward the eventual resurfacing.

“The repair can give us three or four more years,” Catlin High School Principal Kevin Thomas said. “It will be a very nice track for us. We just need to make sure it’s in as good of shape as possible.”

In other business, board members:

-- Agreed to have the roof replaced at the superintendent’s office, which will cost between $20,000 and $25,000. Small repairs have been made for an extended period, but a full replacement is needed.

Architects will look at the building to determine the specifics and will put the work out for bid, to be completed this summer.

The repair will be paid for with life-safety funds, over a two-year period.

-- Agreed to pay $1,000 to help fund the Catlin Summer Recreation program in the district that is offered to students of all ages. The village of Catlin also donated $1,000 to the program earlier this week.

-- Will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. April 30 to canvass the votes of the election and to seat newly elected board member Perry Dable.



WHAT’S NEXT

The Catlin School Board will meet at 7 p.m. May 14 at the superintendent’s office.