Paving the way for athletics, Imbler’s new track receives its first layer of asphalt
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, September 16th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
IMBLER – Just over three weeks since groundbreaking (and roughly 17 months since fundraising began) Imbler’s new track has received its first layer of asphalt. The school’s long-standing (and non-track meet viable) dirt loop is finally gone. Paving on this first layer finished on Thursday, September 12, following the installation of a compact gravel layer in place of the dirt.
In addition to the asphalt, construction also finished on surfacing needed for other field events, such as long jump. Various field lights have also been installed. According to Imbler Track Committee Chair Ian Gordon, the next major step will be to install the track surfacing, as the initial layer of asphalt is only suitable for practice rather than full tournaments. It’s hoped that finishing work on the second layer and installation of amenities will finish next year, weather permitting.
In the meantime, the committee is in the process of updating cost estimates on what it will take to fully finish the track project, with current rough estimates sitting at around $300,000. Fundraising work is, of course, continuing, with the committee also having applied for another round of grants. It’s hoped that a significant portion of the grant funding will be received by years end. Locally, donations of any scale are always accepted, though the track committee is also working on a project to raise $100,000 dollars from 100 local businesses, also by year’s end.
With construction underway and a significant portion of funds collected, however, Ian emphasized to Elkhorn Media Group just how much hard work it took from committee members and community members for the project to get where it is now in under two years. As best put by Ian:
“It’s really amazing when you think about it, that it was only April of 2023 when we started discussing this with the school board and was only July of last year that we started fundraising.”
Those interested in supporting the project can find contact information and donation links at https://imblertrack.org/?fbclid=IwAR0_7hcq5eQjUlYIqRpRzwTlHqFd_qOKe8OsMYaBwwRyz2nUVE15QwOHWgo
