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The Track Resurfacing Project is Underway!
The Track Resurfacing Project is Underway!
We are excited to share that our track resurfacing campaign has now raised $100,000! Reaching this milestone is an incredible start, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated, shared the project, or helped connect us with potential supporters. If you would like to contribute, please use the "How to Donate" button above for information about the different ways you can support the project.
We are also excited to announce that we have partnered with Lund Development Solutions to help guide and strengthen our fundraising efforts as we work toward our ultimate goal.
There is still a significant amount of work ahead. Below the digital flyer is a Q&A section that will hopefully answer many of the questions people may have about the project. We have also included pictures and video showing the current condition of our track surface and why resurfacing has become such an important need.
This project will continue to require a serious grassroots effort from our school and community. Please help us spread the word and let us know about any grants, businesses, organizations, community groups, or individuals who may be interested in partnering with us or making a larger contribution.
We have made tremendous progress, but we still need your help to get to the finish line!
If you have questions, concerns, fundraising ideas, or potential connections after reading about the project below, please contact Coach Knutson at ricky.knutson@slane.k12.or.us.
Track Resurfacing Q and A
Q: What is the school district doing to contribute to the effort?
A: We are working with the district to see what help can look like. Lund Development Solutions has been hired to help with the project, they have worked with other local projects such as the pool. There is hope that we will be able to complete the project in the summer of 2027. The bottom line is that if we want to get this done we are going to have to take some initiative and get this rolling. Much like with the pool, no matter how much the district can contribute there will have to be significant fundraising done to complete this. We can't afford to wait any longer to get started.
Q: Is the track really that bad? I've been to games at the high school and it doesn't look that bad.
A: Please see pictures below after reading this answer. We have been extremely lucky to get 20+ years out of a surface that was meant to last 10 -15 years. The black color of the surface has also hidden much of the wear and tear. Our maintenance crew has done a phenomenal job keeping the surface on life support. If you take a moment to look closely at the surface you will see how thin it has become and in many spots (such as the finish line area pictured below) the asphalt is wearing through. During the last several winters we have dealt with the surface bubbling (also pictured below) due to moisture under the surface. We have had to cover our long jump and javelin runways with rubber mats in order to continue using them. It is becoming unsafe for training and workouts have been shifted to the turf and grass when possible to prevent injuries. If we wait much longer it will not be suitable for hosting middle school or high school events safely.
Q: Why should I support a project to resurface the track that the public doesn't have access to?
A: We understand the frustration with the public not having access to the track. There are multiple reasons for this such as safety, liability, wear and tear on the facility, and scheduling issues, just to name a few. We know it's not ideal and If you don't wish to help we understand. Thank you though for being supportive of the athletes, parents, and community members that wish to work together to complete a project that will benefit thousands of future student athletes and our community. Track and field and cross events regularly bring in thousands of athletes and spectators that help to provide a boost to our local economy. The Wally Ciochetti Track Meet is one of the premier late season events for 4A programs in Oregon bringing teams from Klamath Falls, Prineville and even Reno. The CG Bramble Scramble meet which finishes on the track brings in over 50 middle school and high school teams from around the state. We have also been fortunate to host world class programs such as the Botswana National Team for events such as the 2022 World Championships and again in 2026 for the U20 World Championships. A new surface will help to ensure opportunities for our students and community in the future.
Q: What about the middle school track? It needs repair even more!
A: You are absolutely right! We have had both facilities evaluated by Beynon Sports (track resurfacing company) and the middle school track presents a significant challenge. The asphalt foundation at the middle school would not adequately support a new track surface and also needs to be replaced. This adds hundreds of thousands of dollars to the expense. The high school track has been used for hosting middle school track meets for the last 20 years and we are in danger of not having any facility that is safe for athletes at either school. Right now the high school track is the more attainable goal with the cost being significantly less. Our ultimate goal is to get both tracks taken care of, but we have to start somewhere.
Q: How do I know that my money is going to be spent on the track and not on other school district projects?
A: Another excellent question! There is a dedicated account for the track resurfacing money, multiple people (including Coach Knutson) will have the balance under a microscope. That money will NOT go anywhere else!
Q: Is it true that Cottage Grove was supposed to host the Sky-Em District Track and Field Championship in 2025?
A: Yes, but until our surface is suitable for a championship meet again Cottage Grove will have to continue to defer to other schools in the league. We are on the schedule to host the district championship again in 2028 with the hope that the project will be complete.
Q: Is my donation tax deductible?
A: Yes! Please ask Lena Twyman for the appropriate paperwork when you make your donation.
Q: What's the timeline for the project?
A: It looks like we are on pace for a summer of 2027 completion date
The video and pictures here show just a few of the areas of the track that are in dire need of being replaced. The video is of the javelin runway surface. Another picture shows the asphalt showing through the track, and the other photos show the bubbling of the track surface.
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