Campus News
Track and Field Renovation Update
July 13, 2010
The renovation work on the SBCC track and field at La Playa Stadium, which began May 24, is going well and ahead of the original schedule. The stairs of La Play Stadium will remain open for exercise throughout the duration of the work.
- Field
Installation of the turf material started at the beginning of July, immediately after grading was completed and the drainage system was installed. The turf is first placed and sewn together to create the field, followed by installation of the logo, hashmarks, numbers and sidelines. Once the field has been completely assembled, sand and rubber infill is placed. Overall, the system includes over 500,000 pounds of infill material to create a safe and high-performing playing surface for the athletes, other students, and community members who use the field. - Track
In stallation of the new track surface began with repaving the entire track surface with new asphalt prior to installation of the turf. Upon completion of the field installation, the track resurfacing finish levels can begin. This work consists of three layers of rubber crumb and urethane binder, culminating in a new red running surface. Striping will be completed after the track resurfacing has finished. - Other Venues
In addition, the renovation project calls for replacement of the long jump runways and pits, the high jump area, the shot put and discus circles, the javelin practice runway, and the pole vault runway and pit. All of these venues will be completed prior to reopening of the track and field.
June 3, 2010
- Santa Barbara City College’s renovation of La Playa Stadium’s track and field is currently under way with two short-term closures planned. When the facility reopens August 31 after the first short-term closure, both the track and field will be in useable condition. The field will have been replaced with new turf (permitted use only), and the track will be asphalt with painted lane lines until the new track surface is placed beginning December 20 with the second short-term closure. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by January 31, 2011.
- After initial discussions with the contractor hired for the project, SBCC determined that the bleacher steps in La Playa Stadium can remain safely open throughout the construction to renovate the college’s track and field. People can access the steps from the East Campus main entrance to the stadium and from the lower parking lot.
- In terms of recycling materials, SBCC has set aside and plans to re-use approximately 8,000 square feet of the synthetic turf material in an upcoming project to upgrade a portion of the Pershing Park Softball Field where the Vaqueros’ softball team hosts its home games. Concrete and asphalt removed from the site will be ground up and recycled as road base, and any excess dirt will be hauled to use at appropriate sites.
Background
Thanks to the Measure V bond funding, SBCC is able to do needed renovation to the college’s track and field at La Playa Stadium. The work will involve removal of the existing synthetic track and field, which has become worn and damaged with years of wear, and replacement with the newest available synthetic surfaces.
Initially installed in 1986, La Playa Stadium’s track surface has not been replaced in the interim 24 years, and the constant wear has become a safety issue, according to SBCC officials. The synthetic field surface was installed in 2002 and its extensive use has resulted in an unsatisfactory playing surface.
“La Playa Stadium is a central point for so many activities,” said Ellen O’Connor, SBCC Interim Athletic Director. SBCC offers both credit and non-credit classes on the track and field from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. four days per week. Officials have calculated at least 33,600 student hours of use in just class hours over two semesters annually, not counting athletic competition, summer sessions, and community use.
The annual Easter Relays are held at La Playa each year, along with a number of other special community events. The field is used in the fall by a local high school for its home football games, and hundreds of local Santa Barbara area residents use the track and stadium steps daily for their own personal fitness.
“We take great pride in being an excellent community partner,” said SBCC Superintendent/President Dr. Andreea Serban. “While we are certainly aware of the inconvenience that the short-term closures will cause, the replacement of the track and field surfaces will benefit the college and the community tremendously once it’s completed early next year.”
Funding for the project, which is estimated to cost between $1.5 to $2 million, is made possible through Measure V, a facility bond passed in June 2008 by voters in the Santa Barbara Community College District to make needed infrastructure and facility repairs and upgrades at the college. By law, Measure V dollars cannot be used for college operational expenditures or salaries.
“The passage of Measure V was a huge vote of support for the college by the community,” added Dr, Serban, “We are grateful that local residents are so invested in us, and we take that responsibility seriously. Upgrades to our track and field are a critical need that bond dollars will allow us to take care of.”
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