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NEW CANAAN, Conn. New Canaan High School students will have an easier time running, training and competing next year once the schools athletic track is coated again.
The Town Council voted Thursday evening to give the towns parks and recreation commission the money it needs to resurface the track and improve drainage on the northern end of the track. Thursdays 8-2 vote will redesignate $75,000 in the 2011-12 budget and give the parks department a $125,000 special appropriation to pay for the project.
Recreation Department Director Steve Benko said the flood-and-chip resurfacing project will make the track useable for another five years, giving New Canaan time to get at least $1.3 million to install a new track.
The track itself is worn out, Benko said, noting that the current surface becomes slippery when it rains and experienced cracking over the winter with freezing and thawing. The track has also lost some of is absorption ability, which could cause shin splints and other injuries to runners. Benko said the work would have to be done this fall or the high school might not be able to host practices and events when the spring track season starts.
Town Council members agreed that something needed to be done but were upset that a special appropriation was requested early in the new fiscal year when funds are tight. Councilor Paul Foley, who voted against the request along with John Emert, wanted the Board of Education to share in the costs because the track is used for school events.
But Benko said town residents use the track more than the high school students. Its really a community facility, he said.
The Town Council will have to reconsider acquiring a hybrid diesel/electric school bus. Although the council voted 6-4 to allow the bus purchase and to allow bus company Dattco Transportation to lease and purchase the vehicle, the town charter requires at least seven votes for a special appropriation to pass. The council realized after the meeting was adjourned that it passed with just six yes votes. The town is expected to receive a $63,000 grant to cover a portion of the bus purchase.
How often do you use the running/walking track at New Canaan High School? Do you agree that it needs to be resurfaced? Let us know by leaving a comment below. You can also comment on our Facebook page.
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