New JBHS track dedicated tonight

September 24, 2009|By KATE S. ALEXANDER

MERCERSBURG, Pa. -- The James Buchanan Athletic Boosters will welcome the public to Rocket Stadium tonight for a dedication of its new $400,000 rubberized track.

The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the new track, between the high school and middle school, with presentations by former Pa. Sen. Terry Punt and his successor, Pa. Sen. Rich Alloway, R-Franklin/Adams/York.

Immediately following the ceremony, the boosters will host a field day of events for guests.

Deteriorating athletic facilities prompted the boosters to form a committee in 2008 dedicated to finding a financial means to rehabilitate the school district's tennis courts, pool and track.

Fix JB Sports formed after voters denied the Tuscarora School District's $35 million referendum request to renovate the school facilities, including some athletic facilities.

Marianne Quinn, co-chair of the Fix JB Sports Committee said previously that boosters realized if repairs were going to be made, someone other than the school district would need to shoulder the cost.

The track quickly moved to the top of the committee's list of projects when it learned that $50,000 in state grants secured years ago by Punt were about to expire, she said.

The Tuscarora School District voted in May to split the remaining project cost with Fix JB Sports and pay the committee's portion upfront to expedite the project.

It has been years since James Buchanan High School has hosted a track meet at its stadium, due mainly to its track, which was not up to standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Fix JB Sports plans to kick off a capital campaign this year to raise about $3 million for rehabilitating JB's athletic facilities, Quinn said.

The public is welcome to join the celebration. Those who attend are asked to wear soft-soled shoes or sneakers, according to a press release by the committee.

JB's football team does not play Friday night.

|

|

|