Construction begins to upgrade track facility at UCSB

The track facility at UC Santa Barbara is finally getting a much needed upgrade.

College athletes have been training at the deteriorating facility for years.

NewsChannel 3 crews paid a visit back in Nov. 2014 and captured runners working out on a track filled with cracks, and lumps. Some stretches of the track were worn down to the concrete. The condition of the field was so unsafe, the university could not host home meets.

“The track has been on its last leg up until this past season. We finally broke ground in the middle of May, two weeks after the Big West Championships.” said associate head coach Cody Fleming.

UCSB students voted to repair the track as part of a student fee referendum 5 years ago.

Coaches and athletes waited for the green light to get the project started.

“I think it means a lot, not just to our team, but for the community,” said Fleming. When you drive into campus onto Stadium Road, you are going to see this track, this amazing facility.”

The upgrade will cost $3 million.

The current project is in Phase One, which is the design and the build of the track, the infield, the runways, and the throwing facilities,” Fleming explained.

The field will also get bright lights.

“I think the university recognized the importance of lighting the facility. A lot of tracks don’t have that advantage,” said Fleming.

The team still needs to raise money to start Phase Two, which would include the installation of sheds and bleachers.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by November.

Officials hope to raise enough money for the second phase and have it complete by the time the Track and Field season begins in February.

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