Two more high schools in the Ottawa Valley will have new track surfaces this fall.
Bishop Smith Catholic High School in Pembroke and St. Joseph’s High School in Renfrew are installing the ultimate surface on their tracks.
The Superintendent of Educational Services for the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB), Mark Searson, says the synthetic rubber layer will add optimal traction, enhanced performance and provide shock absorption and cushioning to help protect athletes from injury (such as shin splints and joint problems).
The Principal at St. Joseph’s High School in Renfrew, Derek Lennox, says the facility will be used for track and field, training purposes and to host elementary feeder school events. He adds the community will benefit greatly from having this state of the art track.
Principal of Bishop Smith Catholic High School, Brennan Trainor, says the school is thrilled to be getting this wonderful improvement. He adds they are extremely excited to have students enjoying this fantastic venue on school grounds in the very near future.
Greenwood Paving was awarded the contract for the first phase—building up the track base, putting down asphalt and installing fencing. A second contractor will add a rubber surface over the asphalt.
Director of Education for the Catholic school board, Jamie Perry, says they will be proceeding with this project over the summer and early fall. He adds staff started planning and budgeting more than a year ago in order to provide students with safe and modern track and field facilities to support them in their athletic endeavours.
Last year the public school board completed new tracks at the Arnprior and District High School and Fellowes High School in Pembroke.
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