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Board authorizes Morfield High boosters to proceed with $230,000 track paving project
Summary
After engineers found the track’s subsurface unstable, boosters proposed a drainage and cement-stabilization plan that raised the cost to $230,000; the board authorized work to proceed after donors and local governments pledged funding.
Logan, speaking for the MHS athletic boosters, told the Hardy County Schools board that attempts to mill and repave the Morfield High School track failed because an unstable subsurface and a clogged drainage system made the pavement sink. He described a revised plan to install an upgraded drainage system, perform cement stabilization (milling and mixing subsurface materials with Portland cement to create a stable base), then pave the track and later apply a rubberized surface when temperatures allow.
The project’s scope expanded from an original estimate of about $75,000 for milling and repaving to a revised total of $230,000 once core-drilling, survey work and cement stabilization were included. "We went from $75,000 to $230,000," Logan said, describing the added costs for cement stabilization, core sampling and survey crews. He said the contractor will mill and recycle the existing materials into a new cement-stabilized base and that the company expects that base to be durable.
Logan outlined fundraising and pledged support: two donations of $60,000 (one from the Hardy County Commission and one from the town of Morfield), a $10,000 commitment from Delegate Brian Ward, a $10,000 contribution from Senators Jay Taylor and Randy Smith, $40,000 raised from individuals and businesses, and $50,000 from the boosters. He asked the board to authorize the boosters to move forward immediately with survey and drainage work; he said the boosters hoped to have the paving completed before Thanksgiving if work began right away.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to authorize the boosters to proceed with the work as presented; the motion passed with an affirmative vote recorded as five in favor. The board’s authorization was for the paving portion as described, and board members and booster representatives discussed holding a ribbon-cutting or recognition event after paving is complete to honor donors.
Logan said the rubberized surface and final striping will have to wait until warmer weather because the rubber coating requires specific overnight temperatures. The boosters will coordinate with the contractor to schedule that work in spring. Board members asked operational questions about interim usability of the asphalt surface and were told the new asphalt base can be used for walking and running while teams wait for the rubber coating, but users should avoid bicycles or roller blades on the track surface.
The board did not specify conditions beyond authorizing the boosters to proceed with the work presented and did not record any separate amendments to the proposal. Staff noted survey work and drainage installation would begin in the coming weeks on approval, followed by cement stabilization and paving.
The presentation and vote took place during the unfinished business portion of the meeting; the board approved the motion and the boosters will proceed with the steps described by Logan.
