Sports Complex Update

Over the past 170+ years our schools have experienced some serious problems: epidemics, grasshopper famines, the Civil War, the loss of two prestigious boarding schools, structure fires and more recently serious storm damage — but we got through them.  So when the Sports Complex construction team realized they had to raise the surface of the earth, a lot, they just got 'er done.

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Plan View (Click to enlarge)

Track Progress.
In May of this year work began on the addition of a track to our existing baseball field and sports complex site. The track field part of the project had begun and a future softball field was to begin by the end of the year.

When excavation got started the project hit a snag.  The final survey revealed that due to natural drop-off of the terrain, toward Flat Rock Creek, the east portion of the track would have to be raised nine feet to provide a track surface that was level and correct for both training and competition events.

That was no small problem.   But local planners and our contractor, Track Renovations of Pittsburg, got together and came up with a solution.  The appropriate kind of soil was available from two sources, and one source was very close to the track:

• Much of the soil was available from a domed hillside just north and east of the track itself.  Earth-moving equipment was brought in and that dome was moved a few hundred feet south.
• Mike Grosdidier had stockpiled a large amount of dirt on his property at the north edge of town.  Mike, and his father Francis Grosdidier, trucked Mike and Teresa's Mountain Range about two miles southeast to the construction site.

As the soil was moved in place, layers had to be carefully compacted to ensure a firm base for the track surface.  The earth-lifting phase is now complete but it did add some time and cost* to the project.

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Back Underway.
A couple of weeks ago Track Renovations started final construction and now progress can be seen daily.  The compacted gravel bed is in place and they are currently laying out and excavating for curbs and the drainage system.  When this is done, a semi will show up at the site and the track surface will be installed.  This slide show will give you an idea of what is happening (best viewed in landscape on a phone screen). 

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Notes:
* If You Would Like to Help With the Project:
As you might expect, the "earth raising" added unexpected expense to the track project.  If you would like to support this great 170th-anniversary project, contact Joe Smith at Farmers Bank, St. Paul — 620-449-2800.

If you are considering a tax-deductible contribution from a brokerage account, such as an IRA, it can be made through the St. Paul Schools Alumni and Friends Association. Again, contact Joe Smith for information.  

Track Renovations on Facebook:
Track Renovations Inc. is posting occasional updates on the St. Paul project on their Facebook page.  You can check them out HERE. 

More About Us.
For More Information about our past, including problems and achievements, take a look at OUR STORY.