About The Campaign
Our Purpose
Your Get Back On The Track…Fast! “Invest in a Healthier Community” Committee is proposing to construct a new state-of-the-art all-weather track to be used by the school for physical education, athletic training and events, community events, and by the citizens for the betterment of their health.
Campaign Committee
Co-chairperson, Luke Baldwin; Co-chairperson, Rachel Dahl; Susan Backes, Dyrk Dahl, Mary Anne Harrold, Dana Hummel, Margie Knipp, Mike Knipp, Lisa Loecher, Nathan Marting, Jim Mattson, Lori Mattson, Betsy Ochsner, Dave Steuben, Mary Steuben, Jessie Studebaker, Annie Vander Werff, and Pat Winblade
Our History
Those who are old enough will remember running in the late 1960's, and early 70's, at the present track site, around a wooden rail following a worn grassy path. In the early 70's, we installed a steel rail, put in drain tiles, a gravel base, with an agricultural lime topcoat. This track served us well throughout the 70's, 80's, and into the 90's. Since then, the track has deteriorated and the rail has been removed. Being deemed a danger to participants, Jesup can no longer host track meets. Presently, Jesup is 1 of only 4 schools that have not installed an all-weather track in our current 16-team conference. All of our meets are run on all-weather tracks, including conference, district and state. It's time to make our facilities competitive with those of the teams we compete against! Our school has reached the point where something needs to be done; we need to all work together to to Get Back On the Track…Fast!
Our Plan
Our Committee’s plan is to construct the new all-weather track on the present site. Based on several years of seeking advice from professionals, fans and volunteers, our committee has put together the proposed site plan (shown below) geared to meet the needs that have been identified.
The cost of the new facility will include:
- All demolition and site preparation of the present track
- Installation of a new eight-lane synthetic track with a concrete border outlining the perimeter edges
- A new Press/Coaches Box
- A new handicapped accessible area for fan seating
- Drainage updates
- Football field rework
- New field events areas
- New perimeter fencing and landscaping
Click image for enlarged view.
Our Need
Why do we need to do something with our current track & football facility?
- Eliminate the expense of paying rent to access other tracks in other school districts
- Hosting our own track events will enable concession stand profits to remain in our district and will be utilized for future resurfacing cost. Presently the host school retains all of the profit generated from our track meets
- Allow our School District to host our own events as well as District events for both boys and girls
- Address present safety concerns
- Handicapped accessibility will allow all students, athletes and community members to enjoy the new track and surrounding areas
- Increase visibility making our new facility more fan and athlete friendly
- Up-grade the atmosphere of our Athletic Complex which should affect the overall image of our School District to prospective families with children looking to move to our community
- Provide a facility that can be utilized by all of our students as well as all members of the school district
- Training on a “slow” track, then competing on a “fast” track greatly affects a runner’s timing, especially on relay handoffs and the number of steps between hurdles
- Documentation shows that faster times are run on all-weather tracks. Therefore, a new track increases the chance for Jesup athletes to be competitive within the district and qualify for the Drake Relays or the State Meet
- The Jesup community as a whole will benefit from a new track through walking/running clubs, the ability to host various community events, including the Relay for Life event, and much more
- The new track will require improved drainage, benefiting the football field, baseball field and softball fields
Our Funding Plan
Our capital campaign committee has established a minimum campaign goal of $800,000. This is the total estimated cost of the new project. The question has been asked if this campaign will in any way raise one’s property taxes. No. Our goal is to raise all of the money privately through a School District-Wide Capital Campaign. We will also seek additional funding from area Foundations whose purpose is to aid in the financial support of projects like ours. These Foundations base their support on the level of financial support generated privately from the Capital Campaign. Everyone working together can help make our Get Back On The Track…Fast! “Invest in a Healthier Community” project a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a top of the line, middle grade, or low grade track?
There are three grades we have considered:
- Black Mat (low grade): $19.25/sy = $98,175
- Full Depth color rubber (EPDM): $23.00/sy = $117,300
- Sandwich system: $38.00/sy = $193,800
We are planning to go with the second option, the Full Depth color Rubber (EPDM), because of its longer life and lower long-term maintenance costs.
What is the maintenance that is required for an all weather track? How long does it last?
Outside of the general care that must be taken for a track of this type to ensure it stays in optimum condition, resurfacing of the track we are looking at installing would not be necessary for at least 9-12 years. The cost to resurface the track is approximately $70,000 (subject to change). It is planned that resurfacing costs would be paid for by revenue generated through concessions sold in the complex rather than additional fundraising, tax money, etc.
What is the Booster Club's roll in this project?
Presently, one hundred (100) percent of the Booster Club’s profit is designated to help fund J-Hawk athletics. They are constantly striving to improve our athletic facilities and equipment. The Booster Club is presently supporting the construction of a new press/coaches box at J-Hawk Field.
Will it be open to the public?
Yes, absolutely. Anytime the school is not using the facility, it will be open to the public. Anyone accessing the track will be required to follow basic rules to ensure it stays in optimum condition.
How many in our conference have an all weather track?
In our current 16-team conference (NICL), we are 1 of 4 schools that do not have an all-weather track. In our previous 12-team conference, we were 1 of just 2 schools who did not have the all-weather track.
How many events could be held on a new all-weather track?
Our track and football facility could potentially be open for nearly forty (40) different school and public events each year. These various events, to name just a few, include 3rd & 4th grade Flag football, 5th & 6th grade Youth football, Middle School track and football, Junior Varsity and Varsity football, high school and state sponsored track meets, the annual Relay for Life and Marching Band competitions. A quality track and football facility will not only enhance the current programming of the school, but allow for greater overall use by the community.
How many kids are out for track?
There are currently over 100 student-athletes participating in track but nearly all athletic programs, as well as all Physical Education classes, grades Pre-K-Seniors (nearly 1,000 students), utilize the track throughout the year.