ENGLEWOOD — Englewood High School needed a new track and bleachers at the decades-old stadium for a variety of reasons, but coaches and student athletes are hoping the ultimate result is more fans.
“A new stadium and a new track bring some updated facilities, which kind of excites some of the old alumni and community to come out and watch some football,” said Jay Graves, football and track coach for the high school.
Varsity quarterback Sean Bowering agreed, saying he thinks the projects will bring more people to football games and track meets. He’s also a member of the track and field team.
The old track was deemed unsafe, and the old north stands weren’t in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act .
“No one wants to spend $776,000 on a new track, slope mitigation and new stands given our economic conditions,” said Englewood School District Superintendent Brian Ewert. “No one’s happy about it — it’s going to be beautiful no doubt about it, but it’s expensive.”
The replacement stands are going in now, said Donovan Nolan, project manager for the district. The new track is expected to be laid in March.
The track surface has cracks, and there is slope erosion around the track, causing dirt to collect.
The Colorado High School Activities Association said Englewood High School could not host any association-sponsored events until a new track is installed.
Ewert said the district already had $480,000 designated for the stadium construction, but with the slope mitigation, the project ended up costing more. That’s why the district board approved dipping into the reserves.
Graves said he’s happy about the new track because his track and field team wouldn’t have been able to use the old track for its own practice this coming season.
“Having a nicer, new track allows us to continue hosting those track meets and give the kids a safe surface to run on,” Graves said.
The stadium work coincides with .
Ewert said the district is saving about 10-15 percent on the stadium construction by using Saunders Construction, the contractor completing work on the new Englewood High School.
Nolan said the stands will also be safer because they will be constructed on a concrete slab. Work should finish up by winter break.
“It definitely is something to be more proud of,” Nolan said. “Like the school itself, it’s a more modern facility that creates a safer environment and it’s more welcoming to the community and can host multiple events.”
Clayton Woullard: 303-954-2953, cwoullard@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yhClayton
