New GHS sports facility on the right track

Ledger photo by SCOTT POWELL Construction workers will begin paving the Gaffney High track on Monday. The track is being built on a soccer practice field behind the school's ninth grade addition and cafeteria. The new Gaffney High track will be finished shortly after the current school year ends.

Sossamon Construction has graded the surface for an eight lane competition track. Starting Monday, contractor Larry Sossamon said workers will begin paving the surface in preparation for placing the rubberized track. Event areas will be installed over the next month for the high jump, shot put, discus, pole vault and broad jump.

The $1.33 million project will include a track and field area, a stadium parking area, perimeter fence and additional traffic lanes for required state road improvements by the high school.

The track is currently scheduled for completion in June, Sossamon said.

The contractor will sprig the infield track area later this spring once Bermuda grass emerges from its current dormant stage.

An irrigation system, which was not part of the original project, has been added to the track project at no cost to the district.

The irrigation system was included after Sossamon Construction and Southern Management decided to go with another type track material.

Gaffney High has been unable to hold a home track meet in years because it did not have an adequate track and field area. The new track will allow the school to host track meets.

While the school owns some track equipment, athletic director Phil Strickland has said additional equipment will be needed for the track and field area.

There has been little news reported in school building program updates since the school board awarded the track contract last November.

In addition to the track, Sossamon Construction has finished a 300- space parking lot across from the new Gaffney High ninth grade addition.

The school board took an additional $98,000 from the original track budget so the district could add 150 parking spaces.

Gaffney High will have an estimated 2,000 parking spaces available for school activities and football games once the additional parking areas are in place.

School figures showed an average attendance of 5,000 during the 2006 football season. A total of 10,500 people attended the nationally televised football game against Byrnes in 2006