It's hoped at least $1 million can be brought in through community fundraising, so enhancements can be made to the new track that's already under construction at St. Patrick's High School.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) Associate Director and Treasurer Amy Janssens said the board has already committed $1.07 million toward the project at the Rapids Parkway site.
The Conseil Scolaire Catholique (CSC) Providence, which oversees nearby St. Francois Xavier Catholic School, is contributing an amount which represents seven percent of the total cost.
Janssens said any extra money would allow them to include state-of-the-art amenities.
"We're looking to upgrade the track surface with a polyurethane track surface," said Janssens. "That will improve safety and help with performance. It also helps with the durability of the track over time. We're also looking to upgrade the track with specific colours that are important to both secondary schools on that site. We're also looking to add in some electrical and Wi-Fi services with finish line cameras, speakers and sound systems. These are all things that you don't have to have to run a track competition but certainly are helpful for the conveners."
Janssens said they're also hoping to include items such as blocks, hurdles, long jump and high jump mats, take off boxes, and water bottle filling stations.
"These are all nice to have items that certainly the students, and any other participants on the track would appreciate but aren't included right now in the original design," she said.
Janssens is hopeful the track can be ready for use by students and the community some time in the spring, regardless of whether extra money is raised.
"All of these enhancements that we're looking to make don't need to happen right away, they can happen over a number of years depending if we get some donors who come along and would like to participate in this partnership with us," she said.
In June, the school board said the new track would be six lanes with an eight lane 100 metre stretch.
It is also going to have a new long jump, triple jump pit, javelin runway, high jump runway, discus circle with fenced cage, bleacher pad and perimeter fencing along the track area.
The in-field of the track is also used for soccer at the high school level. Elementary students access the track and field space for the annual Lambton Sports Council track and field event in June.
The facility will also be open to the public to enjoy.
St. Patrick's used to be home to a popular community track at its former East Street property.
The site of the former track has been transformed into Bluewater Health's helipad.
Those interested in providing a donation or grant for track upgrades can call the St. Clair Catholic District School Board's office in Wallaceburg at 519-627-6762 and ask for Amy.
