The long awaited nre indoor track is slated to open this year. Anyone have any info on this?
The long awaited nre indoor track is slated to open this year. Anyone have any info on this?
Where in Providence is this new track supposed to be? Is it affliated with one of the universities/colleges?
No I believe the city paid for it (Sort of Like Reggie Lewis). I belive it is supposed to be near Central/Classical High Schools, but I could be wrong about that.
Finally found some recognition of it, through projo.com:
"Since its inception 11 years ago, the NFL Grassroots Program has donated $25 million to build or renovate 170 football fields in the U.S.
The Classical project coincides with construction of the new Career & Technical Academy adjacent to Central High School, part of a $790-million initiative to upgrade Providence schools. Central had to sacrifice its gym and tennis courts, but in return, high school athletes and Providence residents will receive one of the finest indoor track and recreation facilities on the East Coast.
The 60,000-square-foot space will house a 200-meter oval surrounding three basketball courts that can be converted for tennis and volleyball use; an area for throwing and jumping events; an indoor soccer field, and a 1,000-seat mezzanine. Officials are hoping the $90-million high school will be ready for classes in September and the athletics component operational for the winter sports seasons.
Alan Sepe, director of facilities, helped arrange for the tennis courts to be moved to the Classical side, the cost of which is included in the bond paying for the school construction. " - April 21, 2009
The new career and technial academy is open and is teaching classes. Some pictures of the complex (including indoor track facility) can be found at this link (looks good):
http://www.gcpvd.org/2009/07/31/site-tour-providence-career-and-technical-academy/comment-page-1/
If it's not completed, it's needs to be done by December 30th, since they are hosting the RI Classic there. New meet too. I think this is to replace the Brown HS Invitational that got cancelled this year (and possibly future years) due to budget concerns at Brown.
Meet details:
There's a neat facility map on the website as well. Indoor throwing and pole vault pits it looks like... sweet. I hope they do some open meets there too.
I wonder if this new track will be the new location for the HS state track meets, instead of running them at URI. Or any other public HS track meet (instead of at the current CCRI-Lincoln gym-floor track). At least it will give the athletes a chance to get some good times.
Is the track banked?
Doesn't look like it, based on the "in progress" photos shown in the previous links. It's six lanes around though.
From conversation today with an RI HS event administrator
- Track is flat
- Facility is complete; orientation/walk through for event directors/organizers next week. Management company not hired yet.
- Is multi-purpose facility so other sports beyond track and field will be vying for time. Also, some time has to be allotted to Providence school programs vs only all-state programs
- Will be state meet site, and state-wide varsity meet site like Reggie Lewis Ctr has various leagues come in to run all meets there. No varsity meets at CCRI or Moses Brown planned for the coming season, though those other sites may host JV type meets.
Steve Vaitones
Awesome news that States will be held there! Hopefully some good times will be produced come February. I'm assuming they will be running the 55m/55HH distances, like they have been at URI for the last few years?
The Indoor Track is right next to Central High School, it won't be hard to find
Is the track availble for public use?
They held the USATF East Masters Champs there last weekend. Nice track. Not banked but nice.
