Photo courtesy of the City of Red Deer website.
Upgrades to Woody’s Athletic Park are set to start this week.
Work includes a new track sub-surface, rubber overlay, curbing, and barrier-free pedestrian access.
On Wednesday (June 26), construction crews will begin the nearly three-month project by mobilizing at the athletic park next to the Lindsay Thurber High School.
“The upgrades to the park will help us to achieve World Athletics Certification, providing more opportunity to attract large-scale track and field events to our community,” said Kristin Walsh, Safe and Healthy Communities Manager. “Woody’s Athletic Park already hosts many local competitions, but with the upgrades, there will be an opportunity to host provincial, national, and even international events right here in Red Deer.”
In the first phase of the project, the existing rubber surface will be removed to repair and resurface the 40-year-old-sub-surface, in addition to construction of barrier-free pedestrian pathways to access the park.
Phase one is expected to take about a month. Once complete, the asphalt will sit for about two weeks as a requirement of the new synthetic topcoat surface.
The second phase will begin in August, and include rubber overlay on the track, and curbing on the inside of turns. Construction is anticipated to be completed in September.
“Aside from not being able to access the athletic park during construction, there will be minimal impact to the community,” said Curtis Martinek, Facilities and Asset Management Superintendent. “There may be minor disruptions in the initial set up of the construction access at the start, and intermittent traffic interruptions as construction equipment accesses the site throughout the project.”
The total budget for the project is $1.45 million. The project is funded by The City of Red Deer, Red Deer Public School Division, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Red Deer Titans Track and Field Club, and sponsorship.
**With information provided by the City of Red Deer.