The Paris Independent
14
November 25, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS
New modernized track and field planned for Paris District High School By Casandra Turnbull A multi million-dollar upgrade to the track and field at Paris District High School is in the works. Rafal Wyszynski, Superintendent of Business & Treasurer for the Grand Erie District School Board, was before the Administration & Operations Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 21 to present the $3 million plan to revitalize the aging track and field behind the Grand River Street North school. While the outdoor field has certainly served its purpose and is the grounds for countless memories over the decades, a new one is
required to keep up with the growing student population and to keep up with today’s functionality and athletic demands. Wyszynski presented a list of inadequacies and restrictions during his presentation on Tuesday. The current format of the track has only four lanes. Lately, PDHS has been receiving an increase in requests from elementary schools to use the PDHS track. The current restriction of having only four lanes, none of which are lined, also limits the range of events that can take place, often leading to slowerpaced activities. The current dirt/stone track is not
an ideal surface for a secondary school track. The track requires constant maintenance, which becomes especially challenging after rainfall when footprints tend to solidify into the surface rendering the track unusable and unsafe. With the growing community, an expanding number of community members are utilizing the track for walking. In addition to the track, the current state of jumping pits, runways, and throwing space (shot put, discus) are in poor shape, and need to be addressed. Continued on page 15 A $3 million upgrade is proposed for the Track and Field behind Paris District High School. The rendering shows a new and improved 6-lane track around the field that will be lined with artificial turf. The Grand Erie School Board presented the plans during Tuesday’s Administration and Operations meeting
