Drive starts to extend goal for new Colfax High track

A fund drive for the Colfax High School track has been launched this summer. The aim of the drive is to build up a fund to expand the scope of the project which was originally scheduled to start this summer after local use of the track ceased.

“We think we can get it done with the help from a lot people,” Mark Mackleit of Colfax, who heads up the committee, commented.

A lot of the planning for the drive is still underway. A committee of volunteers has been assembled, and they plan to meet approximately once per month to check their progress and plan a strategy as the drive progresses, Mackleit added.

The name of the drive will be “C-Town Project.”

Track Coach Jason Cooper said the name emerged from an impromptu discussion of track team members on the way to last spring’s NE district finals. He said he asked the team members to come up with a name as a means of getting them involved in the project at an early stage. The C in C-Town project stands for Colfax.

Colfax School directors last spring had scheduled a resurfacing of the eight-lane track during the summer break. The school board had a bid of approximately $130,000 to put a new surface on the track.

Cooper said he and other coaches, parents and track supporters believe the track needs a complete rebuild for a long-term term improvement.

“We need to take the track completely out and put in a new one,” Cooper said.

He and Assistant Coach Todd Kinley met with the school board and gave a Powerpoint presentation on what they believe should be the scope of the track project. Their presentation swayed the board to put the $130,000 fund on hold and see what kind of support can be generated from the community, and also from Colfax track grads and others who would like to see a more comprehensive redo of the track.

The goal of the C-Town Project board is to raise another $300,000 to combine with the $130,000 the school district has set aside after deciding not to undertake the surfacing project this year.

The present eight-lane track was constructed in 1980. The track includes an asphalt sub-surface with a rubberized covering. It was resurfaced in 1999.

The track surface has deteriorated over the years and wear and tear has left cracks in the surfaces and pieces of the track cover missing. The track’s present condition led to scheduling most of the season’s meets away from Colfax. The Bulldog track season, which concluded with a state title win by the Colfax girls, this year included a lot of road miles for competition at other school tracks.

Other members of the C-Town Project board are Brian Becker, a member of the school board; Brenda Kneeshaw, a retired teacher and coach; Bob and Cheryl Lothspeich, Al Vorderbrueggen, a member of the Colfax city council and Colfax Park Board and State Trooper Rob Aucutt.

Cooper noted the track also served other groups over the years, including grade school competitors and youngsters at recess. Joggers and other residents also use the track. One example of public use was last Saturday’s Relay for Life which was staged on the track for the 19th year.

Cooper noted one big improvement for the track would be installation of a drainage system. Standing water on the track can play havoc on the track surface, especially during the spring.

Committee members have already contacted approximately 15 local businesses and have received pledges of support. Mackleit noted one fundraising tactic could be naming the track lanes after business donors.

Another funding tactic is expected to involve contacting Colfax track grads and other grads who would be interested in the rebuild. One track grad who has already assisted is Robin Slate Doloughan, who is now Freeman’s track coach. She has designed the C-Town project web site: http://www.ctownproject.com.

Donations for the track will be done through the Colfax Schools Foundation, an independent organization which provides scholarships and funding for other projects. Organized in 2002, the foundation is a non-profit organization with 501 C3 status.

Donations can be sent to the foundation at 223 N. Main in Colfax. Donors are asked to designate “track” on the memo line of checks.