Track, Athletic Fields Rough Conditions Start Up Talk of Capital Projects

Kings Park Board of Education and community members were surprised to hear the high school and middle school track's deteriorating conditions could pose a safety issue for students. 

Dan Butler, Kings Park's Athletic Director, presented the results of a survey sent out to the district's varsity coaches for equipment "musts," needs and wants to Kings Park Board of Education on Tuesday night.

The athletic equipment survey revealed King Park High School's track is in desperate need of repairs.  

"A couple of lanes have started to peel on the edges, we try not to race on them during meets," Butler said. "It's still possible to have a meet out there but something that is not going to get any better." 

Trustee Diane Nally said she had larger concerns about the middle school's track, as a Boy Scout had recently come to her expressing concerns students were running around the outside of the track and there was "less of it than there used to be." 

William T. Roger's has a gravel track that has grass taking root, encroaching on the number of usable lanes, according to Butler. It cannot be solved with landscaping or trimming. 

"We need a new track and we need drainage around edges of the football field. We need new track at the middle school," Superintendent Susan Agruso said. 

Another large infrastructure request from the varsity coaches is irrigation for the High School's lower field that is shared by the soccer, baseball and girls softball teams.

"Due to the lack of rain this fall and summer, it's become a very dry space," Butler said. 

Marie Goldstein, president of Kings Park Board of Education, said the survey's results calls for serious discussion about the school's athletic field, infrastructure and equipment during the upcoming 2014-15 budget forums. 

"For those students to participate in certain sports, we need to have conversation about our obligation to give them a safe environment... Our kids shouldn’t be running on the outskirts of a track. Nor, should we not be able to have meets," Goldstein said. 

Both Butler and Agruso said for the district to have funds to repair the tracks, install irrigation and drainages would require a bond, which would require taxpayers vote for approval in May. A bond previously put up for vote for similar items failed three years ago. 

Board Vice President Tom Locascio suggested one night during the upcoming budget discussions be dedicated to discussing the district's capital infrastructure, going over building by building what's needed, and coming up with a long-term plan. 

Would you support Kings Park Central School District taking out a bond to complete work on its tracks and athletic fields? Why or why not? 
Tell us in the comments below.