Hempfield to test undersurface of track

A new track could be in Hempfield Area School District’s future, but it all boils down to the undersurface.

A test done by Advantage Engineers will tell school directors if the undersurface of the track is crumbling and needs replaced, said Sonya Brajdic, school board president.

“We already did one testing that told us our track still had two to three years left, but our team doctor is telling us we’re still getting some injuries,” Brajdic said. “So we just want another sample to let us know where we’re at. The sample will tell us if the underlayment, because we don’t want to spend money resurfacing if the underlayment, the blacktop underneath, is bad.”

The test costs $5,850 and will take between two and three months, said Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

If the undersurface of the track is in good condition, officials will move forward with resurfacing the top when necessary, a project officials believe was last done in 2006, Brajdic said. Wolicki added officials were not certain if the undersurface was addressed at that time.

If contractors find the black top is crumbling by boring down about 10 feet, then officials could put in a new track.

School directors voted 7-1 during Monday’s meeting, with David Iwig opposing the measure.