Taylor University's new track, currently under construction, is located by the softball and tennis complexes on campus.
The goal for the overall completion of the track is Thanksgiving, Keith Cocking, the director of construction services, said. This deadline however is weather dependent.
With the completion of Taylor’s new Glass Track and Field Complex, their track and field team will be moving outdoors for their workouts. Indoor practices presented space limitations and surface-related injuries that the outdoor complex will address, Derek Gay, head track and field coach, said.
“Our indoor facility is one of the other top-tier surfaces,” Gay said. “It’s very fast, but it’s hard to train on for long periods of time because it is harder on your legs.”
The new track, however, features a BSS 1000-model surface that contains a higher energy return and shock absorbency. This enables athletes to run faster. The BSS 1000 model is the most popular track and field surface installed and manufactured by Beynon Sports.
This model meets all performance standards for outdoor track surfacing. It features a dual durometer surface, meaning it contains a softer force-reduction layer and a more firm-wearing layer.
This surface has been featured in many elite tracks and has produced high-level performances, Gay said.
The previous track, located near Rediger Chapel, was torn down due to the chapel expansion and inadequate facilities. The track had been outdated and was in need of a metal gutter in order to host competitions, previously reported in The Echo’s article regarding Taylor’s plans for the new complex.
The complex will exhibit eight lanes and space for field events, Cocking said. The next phase of the project after the track’s completion will be to add a press box, parking, bleachers and restrooms. This phase, however, is waiting on fundraising to come in before construction can begin.
The surface is not the only thing to look forward to. With the location of the new track being by softball and tennis, there will be more of an athletic complex feel to it, Gay said. The various sports Taylor has will appear more connected. This will appeal to future recruits and alumni.
“The athletic complex will look as complete as it's ever looked,” Gay said. “You’ll be able to look out at the landscape of every team’s facilities and see what we’ve got going on.”
The complex’s location presented its own set of challenges during construction, Cocking said. Beynon, a sports company that specializes in athletic surfaces, was hired for the construction and implementation. Beynon first prepared the area, which was previously grass, and they added drainage. In recent weeks, they paved the track with asphalt, Cocking said.
Currently, they are working on the surrounding areas, which will host field events, and laying grass seed down while waiting on the asphalt to cure.
The main challenge they faced was the weather, Cocking said. With the storms over the summer, construction was unable to progress. They had to dry the site out before they could continue working on the area.
Track and field athletes are looking forward to hosting meets as well. Claire Bailey, a senior nursing major and 400-meter hurdler for the team, looks forward to the support that home meets bring.
“We haven’t had an outdoor home meet since my freshman year,” Bailey said. “So many people came and supported us and made signs for us.”
The new track will bring more camaraderie within the team, Bailey said. It will also provide the opportunity to host a senior night at Taylor which Bailey is looking forward to.
Last year when the previous track was torn down, the team had to move practice to a high school track, Bailey said. They practiced in separate groups to accommodate the location, so the team itself was divided.
The dedication ceremony for the new Glass Track and Field Complex was held on Oct. 9 at 11 a.m.
