SAFETY AND SECURITY
Track contractors recommend putting sturdy boards over the track and covering them with a tarp or rubber matting in order to allow vehicles to cross safely .
Arcella added that field owners should always be aware of the need to protect the track .
“ Create crossovers for athletes who will be using the main inner field and who will most likely be wearing cleats . These crossovers could be a heavy tarp , rigid mats or weighted tarps ,” he said . “ There are several sports vendors that supply these types of track protection and they ’ ll help keep the surface free of nicks , indentations and the like .”
Keep tabs on the track surface by walking around it regularly . If patching is needed or if damage is present , report it to your track builder , who will know what to do . Unfortunately , it is not uncommon for problems to be noticed at the end of one season ( for example , spring ), but because the track is not going to be needed by the school over summer vacation , the problem might not be reported until the following fall , and , in the intervening time , it has gone from a minor issue to a major repair .
“ Facility managers should ensure a proper maintenance routine is in place even during periods of limited use of the facility ,” said Wiggin . “ Regular maintenance should include collecting debris from the track and field , checking drain inlets and regular field maintenance . It is important to properly secure the facility if personnel are not there on a regular basis to prevent any unscheduled activity .”
Lighting should also be checked regularly to ensure all fixtures are working properly and that there are no problems . Check fencing and gates and make sure no rails are loose and no fabric is bulging . Look at bleachers and railings , as well as steps .
In many cases , track and field facilities are open for community use during the summer , as well as during
the school year when students are not using it . Because , at such times , the facility is largely unsupervised , it is important to try to safeguard against misuse that can result in damages . “ It is important to have rules posted about the use of your track and field facility so that summer visitors can easily see them ,” said Wiggin . “ The rules for your facility should clearly list the types of things that are allowed and are prohibited to avoid any damage to the facility . It is important to discourage the use of spiked shoes , chairs , skates , narrow wheeled strollers , tricycles and bicycles on your running track to prevent premature wearing . If there is an event with lots of traffic across the running track specifically , we recommend crossing mats to protect the track surface and prevent excess wear in a concentrated area .”
The listed rules should include a phone number that visitors can call with any concerns , including problem users or damage to the facility they may have observed .
Put locking covers onto sand pits , since parents who bring their toddlers tend to use them as sandboxes , leading to sand getting tossed
Photo courtesy of GMB Architecture + Engineering , Holland , Mich .
out and various debris being left behind , which could harm athletes when the sand pits go into use again .
Make sure to do periodic checkins to see whether the track and field are in good shape ; if it looks as though they are suffering from the effects of too much unsupervised use , you may need to revisit the decision about it . SFM
Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the American Sports Builders Association ( ASBA ).
In-depth information on the maintenance of running tracks and sports fields can be obtained from the American Sports Builders Association , the non-profit association helping designers , builders , owners , operators and users understand quality sports facility construction . ASBA ’ s publications , including Running Tracks : A Construction and Maintenance Manual , and Sports Fields : A Construction and Maintenance Manual , are available for purchase from the Association .
The ASBA may be reached via its website , www . sportsbuilders . org , or via e-mail at info @ sportsbuilders . org .
36 SportsField Management | June 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com