By Gary Lloyd
Work to replace the track at Pinson Valley High School began Monday, according to Principal Terrence Brown.
Battle-Miller Construction won the bid for track replacement earlier this summer for a total cost of $295,800, according to Jefferson County Schools. With engineering fees, the total cost is $326,768.
Brown said the completion date for the new track is Aug. 28, assuming good weather. Should the project not be complete, the football schedule will remain the same, he said. Pinson Valley’s first home football game is Sept. 6 against Mortimer Jordan.
Work to replace the track at Willie Adams Stadium on the Pinson Valley High School campus began Monday.
photo by Gary Lloyd
The next-highest bids were for $345,477 and $346,569.
The track circles the football field at Willie Adams Stadium.
The project will be funded with local capital outlay and Jefferson County Commission grant funds, according to Jefferson County Schools.
The six-lane track will not validate competitive use against other schools. The new track will replace the original, which was constructed in 1972 when the high school opened.
“We’re excited about it being done,” Brown said. “I think it gives our kids an opportunity to practice on something legitimate. It helps us to be competitive.”
Brown said he believes the new track will compliment the existing field house and other improvements at Willie Adams Stadium.
“In my mind, it kind of ties everything together,” he said.
Brown said the next step is to expand the visitor side concession stand to incorporate sinks and necessary equipment to provide hot food at football games. Currently, the only place to purchase hot food at a football game is beside the home bleachers.
“WIth those pieces in place and the age of this school, I think we can walk away from this to some extent and say, ‘Job well done,’” Brown said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
