Thanks to a mild winter, it took less than a year for the new track and field complex at Owensboro Middle School to be finished, in plenty of time for the coming school year.
The $2.7 million state-of-the-art track and field complex is a community partnership between Owensboro Public Schools, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Owensboro Health.
“I call it a win-win-win,” said Dave Kirk, Public Information Officer for Owensboro Public Schools. “Kentucky Wesleyan is getting a world-class track where they can host NCAA events, Owensboro Public Schools will have a state-of-the-art field for our middle school football, soccer, and track teams, and Owensboro Health will be able to host community events like 5Ks here as well.”
Owensboro High School will also be using the track for home meets. One notable feature to the new track is the ability for the field events to be set up at either end, depending on the direction of the wind. Other amenities include:
- a rubberized track which is easier on runners’ bodies,
- a specialized surface on the playing field that is designed for drainage,
- directional, LED stadium lights that should not spill over into neighbor’s yards,
- and a press box which sits above a concession stand and restrooms in anticipation of regional and state events.
It’s also in a great location. Not only is it on the Owensboro Middle School property and across the street from the campus of Kentucky Wesleyan College, but the facility is also centrally located just minutes from downtown and a few blocks from Frederica Street. Kirk says the three partners expect local tourism to benefit from restaurant and hotel revenue from the number of spectators the facility will attract.
Owensboro Health, which has naming rights according to the agreement, has not announced a name for the track and field complex.
A grand opening is planned for August.
Looking out over the field, Kirk concluded, “Anytime we can invest in something that benefits not only our student-athletes but also the community is a beautiful thing.”
