District 96 adding tracks at its middle schools

A project that will benefit runners and all middle school students during their physical education classes at Woodlawn and Twin Groves middle schools is right on track to be finished by mid-September.

"It'll be a great opportunity for the kids," Greg Grana, the principal of Woodlawn School, said of the tracks that are under construction at the middle schools, which are part of Kildeer-Countryside Elementary District 96.

Grana said that currently the students at his school run on the grass and when it rains, kids could slip.

"Some kids have sustained injuries in the past," said Grana.

Grana said the 660 students who attend Woodlawn in Long Grove will get to use the track during gym class, as well as the 150 students on the track team. He said the kids at Country Meadows Elementary School in Long Grove will also be able to use the track.

"We're hoping to host bigger events," said Grana, about how the track program will improve due to the new running track. He said the school could host conference tournaments and other events on the new track down the road.

The board approved track bids of $576,506 for construction at Twin Groves and $938,821 for Woodlawn, for a total of $1,515,327. The track at Twin Groves school will be 200 meters and the one at Woodlawn will be 400 meters.

Randall Warren, director of facilities and transportation for District 96, said that the Twin Groves track is on property that is owned by the Buffalo Grove Park District. The two entities have an intergovernmental agreement for the track to be located on the property, but built by the school district.

Warren said officials approved the project because "they felt the teams didn't have the proper facilities to run their track program."

Twin Groves Principal Jessica Barnes said at her school, there is currently only an asphalt walking area. The new track will "help with our track program as well as the track unit during our physical education classes," she said. "I'm sure other sports would use it for warming up and cardio. It will be a huge asset to our school."

Warren said they as long as the weather cooperates, the tracks should be finished on time, by mid-September.

"It's an amazing commitment by the school district," said Grana.