Track designed for one class

By Meghan Hughes
The Metropolitan

After looking at Aurariaâs improved athletic fields, some might be surprised to learn that construction on the running track is finished. The only thing is the track only runs a quarter of the way around the field.

Mark Cicero, sports information director at Metro, said a committee for the fields decided in May a full track was not necessary because Metro doesnât have a  track team. Coaches and staff from Metroâs 10 varsity teams were also in on the decision.

Still, some Metro students, such as sophomore Jason Woolridge, wonder why Auraria bothered building a track at all.

ãWhat was the point of putting in a quarter of a track when they werenât going to take it all the way around?ä Woolridge said.

Dick Feuerborn, Aurariaâs director of Facilities and Planning and Use, said the administration decided against a full track to allow extra space for the soccer fields and baseball diamond, which are used more frequently.

ãThe Human Sports and Leisure Department teaches a class on running and jumping hurdles, so we made a staggered start curve to especially accommodate those students,ä Feuerborn said. ãFor now we donât need a full sized track, but we have the space to put one in if we find we need one in the future.ä

The $1.5 million  renovation project, which began in June, is expected to be completed by January 1998, according to architect and project manager Kathy McNally. The date was pushed back from the fall 1997 because poor weather delayed construction.

The delays forced the menâs and womenâs soccer teams to play the majority of their games on the road. The southern part of the fields was ready in time for an Oct. 10 menâs soccer match. The baseball field is still under construction.