The Emperor's New Clothes- Part II
Statement to the Alexandria City School Board
About the City's Running Tracks
.
I am sure you are weary of speakers coming before you with all complains and no solutions.
As for a plan of action, let me suggest to you this. Proceed with a assessment for construction of a state-of-the-art 8-lane track and field facility at T.C. Williams. If for some reason that proves too problematic to achieve, “restore” the track and field at TC, and then immediately look elsewhere in the city to place an 8-lane track facility.
You initially need not look further than our two Middle Schools, shackled with meandering trails that should not even reasonably be referred to as “tracks”. George Washington Middle School offers a great opportunity. There used to be a track at GW, but somehow during the school’s renovation and expansion, it was lost. In its place is a pathetic, uneven, narrow trail around the field, barely two people wide. GW’s proximity to the Metro makes it a site worthy of consideration. Hammond Middle School also offers a great opportunity resulting from benign neglect. The upper field adjacent to the school is in dismal shape. A good intentioned, yet misdirected, path substitutes for what should really be there. Distances at both are marked poorly, or not at all. While the proposal to install artificial turf field at both schools is nice, the missing element is the addition of quality running tracks.
What is being proposed is three tracks, one at the high school and one at each middle school. One should be an 8-lane state-of-the-art facility for track and field that would rival any in the nation. (example diagram enclosed). It should include hurtles, and all other track equipment and the latest digital timing devices. The other two should be regulation 6 lane asphalt ovals, perfectly flat and lined, 400 meters in distance, with two 100 meter curves and two 100 meter straightaways with run-outs on both sides. These could be constructed quickly, with a relatively minimal amount of time and expense. They are essentially quarter-mile roads of blacktop and paint. At least one should be constructed before the beginning of next season. If an 8-lane cannot be built at the High School, where it rightfully belongs, then a fourth track should be built at Potomac Yards or anywhere, just built it somewhere.
The beauty of this proposal is that does not diminish our field inventory one bit. It will not prevent or restrict the turf, bleacher or irrigation projects, now or in the future. It in fact enhances the fields, putting them to a greater and better use. We have a rare chance to race ahead of our competition (pun intended), and move our facilities from last place to first place. A new, fully outfitted competition level 8-lane track and additional 6-lane tracks might be initially costly, but it will have a great payback in positive economic benefits to the school system and city as a whole.
I must turn to the issue of cost. At the risk of alienating my friends in the rowing community, before it is said we can’t afford this, I will use the Rowing Center as example in a cost-benefit analysis. How many students are able to take advantage of the Rowing Center- maybe 5%? (the ACPS Facility Data Sheet does not account for student enrollment). How many students will use the track – 100%. How many in the community could or would use the rowing center- 5%? How many use the track- 100%. How many attend rowing events during the year -5%; how many would attend track track, at least 50% or more. How often can the rowing facility be used? Maybe half a year at best simply based on weather, 365 days a year for a track- rain or shine.
I reiterate I have nothing against rowing. This is just an example of cost-versus-benefit in an era of scarcity. Let it not be said that we can’t afford three new tracks that benefits the vast majority of students, and then turn around and allow of vote for $781,860 dollars for a Rowing Center that benefits relatively few. These expenditures are on top of the $1,248,100 spent to purchase the property and another $500,000 already spent to renovate the center. That’s 2.5 million dollars on a facility that may be meritorious, but all the while we have spent next to nothing on our running track infrastructure. Track and Field should achieve an individual budget line status, with many items having a project priority labeled “essential”. This will assure the long term health of this endeavor, so that after they are built, they will be regularly upgraded and maintained.
You should also partner with members of the Parks and Recreation Community, who should willingly assist with the planning and funding. The recently released “Comprehensive Athletic Field Master Plan” initial draft report incredulously make no mention of running tracks, or include tracks in its recommended improvements. What it does say is spend $20 million dollars and still have not tracks. What it does say is that Alexandria City park and recreation facilities are among the “most used” in the region and “unable to meet current demand.” What it does say is that over half of the fields are at the schools, or used by them on a regular basis. This begs for a re-evaluation, with close cooperations between all recreation and school related organizations, to achieve the maximum benefit for our residents.
The tracks at our schools have languished and fell into dismal disrepair at T.C. Williams High School, George Washington and Hammond Middle Schools. We have a chance to build something that will effect the quality of life of students and citizens for generations to come. A track is as much a part of the school as a gymnasium. It is a much a part of the community as a park. Not everybody plays baseball, lacrosse, soccer or football. Everybody walks, jogs, or runs. Even wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers can be used on a track. After years of delay, the tracks should be completed with all deliberate speed. We pontificate about sedentary lifestyles of our students and citizenry, not often do we have a chance to truly have a meaningful and long-term positive impact. Let our actions speak as loud as our words.
Build three running tracks worthy of the magnificent new school, and all of our great school renovations. If we do not, we will be left with invisible clothes, while the people say “Oh what great school facilities we have in Alexandria”, when in fact our “new clothes” will be a suit without a lining.
I am sure you are weary of speakers coming before you with all complains and no solutions.
As for a plan of action, let me suggest to you this. Proceed with a assessment for construction of a state-of-the-art 8-lane track and field facility at T.C. Williams. If for some reason that proves too problematic to achieve, “restore” the track and field at TC, and then immediately look elsewhere in the city to place an 8-lane track facility.
You initially need not look further than our two Middle Schools, shackled with meandering trails that should not even reasonably be referred to as “tracks”. George Washington Middle School offers a great opportunity. There used to be a track at GW, but somehow during the school’s renovation and expansion, it was lost. In its place is a pathetic, uneven, narrow trail around the field, barely two people wide. GW’s proximity to the Metro makes it a site worthy of consideration. Hammond Middle School also offers a great opportunity resulting from benign neglect. The upper field adjacent to the school is in dismal shape. A good intentioned, yet misdirected, path substitutes for what should really be there. Distances at both are marked poorly, or not at all. While the proposal to install artificial turf field at both schools is nice, the missing element is the addition of quality running tracks.
What is being proposed is three tracks, one at the high school and one at each middle school. One should be an 8-lane state-of-the-art facility for track and field that would rival any in the nation. (example diagram enclosed). It should include hurtles, and all other track equipment and the latest digital timing devices. The other two should be regulation 6 lane asphalt ovals, perfectly flat and lined, 400 meters in distance, with two 100 meter curves and two 100 meter straightaways with run-outs on both sides. These could be constructed quickly, with a relatively minimal amount of time and expense. They are essentially quarter-mile roads of blacktop and paint. At least one should be constructed before the beginning of next season. If an 8-lane cannot be built at the High School, where it rightfully belongs, then a fourth track should be built at Potomac Yards or anywhere, just built it somewhere.
The beauty of this proposal is that does not diminish our field inventory one bit. It will not prevent or restrict the turf, bleacher or irrigation projects, now or in the future. It in fact enhances the fields, putting them to a greater and better use. We have a rare chance to race ahead of our competition (pun intended), and move our facilities from last place to first place. A new, fully outfitted competition level 8-lane track and additional 6-lane tracks might be initially costly, but it will have a great payback in positive economic benefits to the school system and city as a whole.
I must turn to the issue of cost. At the risk of alienating my friends in the rowing community, before it is said we can’t afford this, I will use the Rowing Center as example in a cost-benefit analysis. How many students are able to take advantage of the Rowing Center- maybe 5%? (the ACPS Facility Data Sheet does not account for student enrollment). How many students will use the track – 100%. How many in the community could or would use the rowing center- 5%? How many use the track- 100%. How many attend rowing events during the year -5%; how many would attend track track, at least 50% or more. How often can the rowing facility be used? Maybe half a year at best simply based on weather, 365 days a year for a track- rain or shine.
I reiterate I have nothing against rowing. This is just an example of cost-versus-benefit in an era of scarcity. Let it not be said that we can’t afford three new tracks that benefits the vast majority of students, and then turn around and allow of vote for $781,860 dollars for a Rowing Center that benefits relatively few. These expenditures are on top of the $1,248,100 spent to purchase the property and another $500,000 already spent to renovate the center. That’s 2.5 million dollars on a facility that may be meritorious, but all the while we have spent next to nothing on our running track infrastructure. Track and Field should achieve an individual budget line status, with many items having a project priority labeled “essential”. This will assure the long term health of this endeavor, so that after they are built, they will be regularly upgraded and maintained.
You should also partner with members of the Parks and Recreation Community, who should willingly assist with the planning and funding. The recently released “Comprehensive Athletic Field Master Plan” initial draft report incredulously make no mention of running tracks, or include tracks in its recommended improvements. What it does say is spend $20 million dollars and still have not tracks. What it does say is that Alexandria City park and recreation facilities are among the “most used” in the region and “unable to meet current demand.” What it does say is that over half of the fields are at the schools, or used by them on a regular basis. This begs for a re-evaluation, with close cooperations between all recreation and school related organizations, to achieve the maximum benefit for our residents.
The tracks at our schools have languished and fell into dismal disrepair at T.C. Williams High School, George Washington and Hammond Middle Schools. We have a chance to build something that will effect the quality of life of students and citizens for generations to come. A track is as much a part of the school as a gymnasium. It is a much a part of the community as a park. Not everybody plays baseball, lacrosse, soccer or football. Everybody walks, jogs, or runs. Even wheelchairs, bicycles and strollers can be used on a track. After years of delay, the tracks should be completed with all deliberate speed. We pontificate about sedentary lifestyles of our students and citizenry, not often do we have a chance to truly have a meaningful and long-term positive impact. Let our actions speak as loud as our words.
Build three running tracks worthy of the magnificent new school, and all of our great school renovations. If we do not, we will be left with invisible clothes, while the people say “Oh what great school facilities we have in Alexandria”, when in fact our “new clothes” will be a suit without a lining.
