SHAMOKIN, Pa. — A new track sits inside Kemp Memorial Stadium in Coal Township. The 50-year-old track at the Shamokin Area athletic field was in need of a major upgrade.
"The wearing course which is the top course, that's you know the rubberized track, it was worn through to the asphalt so there were patches on it where you know there was no way that we could patch it up it was just—it needed to be a total tear out and just replace the whole thing so it wasn't safe for competition, put it that way," Bill Clark, Shamokin Area School District Athletic Director.
Clark says since the old track was no longer useable, coaches and players had to come up with a different plan for their meets.
"All of our meets were away, whether invitational's or you know conference meets, everybody hosted us, so we were completely on the road other than practice—we practiced on it we just didn't compete on it." he said.
Construction for the new track started in May and was finished about a week and a half ago. New additions to the track include purple exchange zones for the 4 x1 relay, straightaway races on both sides of the track, and more.
"We got a new high jump area, we have all brand-new running lanes for our long jump, triple jump, and for the pole vault, and so pretty much every thing's brand new, other than maybe the throwing areas but it's state of the art," said Clark.
Clark says the upgrades aren't just for student athletes, but the community too.
"It's kind of like just an understanding, if you want to go for a walk, come on the track, you know nice easy flat area to be able to do it, so we'll be doing that again." he said
The track at Kemp Memorial Stadium is now open.