Avoyelles School Board reviewing costs for upgrading track facilities at three high schools

   Last month Chris LaCour informed his fellow Avoyelles School Board members that he would seek a $500,000 state grant to construct an asphalt track at Avoyelles High. His effort was almost derailed by a “me too” motion asking for money for Marksville and Bunkie high schools as well. 

   That was pulled because it was felt that approval for $500,000 is doubtful, but asking for over $1 million is a guaranteed “no.”

   The issue was raised in a different way at the board’s Building and Lands Committee, when Committee Chairman Mike Lacombe brought up the possibility of using the board’s “reserve fund” to pay to repair/improve the tracks at Bunkie and Marksville. As might be expected, the proposal was met with an immediate question from LaCour: “Why leave mine on a chance while the other two go to guaranteed money?”

   LaCour pointed out that for the past 1 1/2 years he has been on the board, no board member has suggested spending district funds to upgrade or repair the tracks at Bunkie and Marksville high schools. Then, when he notes that he is willing to apply for a grant to try to get Avoyelles a track,  “then there is a suggestion that we dip into the reserves for Marksville and Bunkie, but Avoyelles gets nothing.”

   Board President Darrell Wiley said the board should look into repairing the two existing tracks and into the cost to construct a track at Avoyelles. The foundation for an oval track around the football field at  AHS was prepared by the National Guard a few years ago, but it was never developed into a track.

    Wiley said the MHS track  was overlaid in 1995 and is about 10 years overdue for resurfacing. It would cost more than $100,000 to put the track back into good shape. The BHS track is in deplorable condition and will have to be rebuilt, Wiley noted. That would probably cost over $300,000, Wiley said. 

    The track at AHS would literally have to be built from the dirt up, at an estimated cost of  $450,000. “You’re looking at over three quarters of a million dollars for all three,” Wiley said.

    It was suggested that the board consider a “three year plan” for the tracks, since much of the district’s “10-year plan” projects are underway or will be in the next year or two.

    Wiley also stressed that any project be sure to address any possible drainage problems to ensure the tracks are not damaged by standing water.

   The committee voted 3-0 to recommend the School Board get estimates on what it would take to have usable tracks at the three high schools. The board accepted that recommendation at its Oct. 4 meeting.

   Lacombe, Wiley and Van Kojis voted in favor, James Gauthier abstained and Shelia Blackman-Dupas was absent.