Central facility expected to host events in April

Paving crews poured asphalt Friday at Covington County Schools’ new centralized track facility.

Superintendent Shannon Driver said it was a huge step toward completion of the new facility, located on 109 acres off Hwy. 55, and within 20 to 22-minutes’ driving distance from each of the county’s high schools.

Driver said the contractor, First Team Construction Co., Inc., has made amazing progress.

 

“I think there has been 35 rain days since we started,” Driver said.

A track service will be placed on top of the asphalt, he said.

“We had someone here from the track company walking around with a 10-foot board to test the level,” Driver said. “There can’t be more than a quarter-inch difference in the surface.”

Driver is excited about the potential for the facility.

“From the bleachers, you can see all of the events,” he said. “There aren’t many facilities where you can do that.”

The eight-lane track circles the soccer-sized field, and there are adjacent spaces for high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump events. Work also has begun on a 5,000 meter cross country course.

The facility has buildings on either side of the entrance. On one side, there are dressing rooms and restroom facilities for athletes, as well as storage rooms for each of the high schools that will use the facility.

On the opposite side, there are restroom facilities for spectators, a concession stand, and a covered pavilion.

Driver is optimistic that county schools will be able to hold track meets in the facility by April.