Project 56 refocuses on track project

The Project 56 committee held a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, to discuss the current progress and plans for the ongoing project. The group unanimously decided to refocus and continue the plans for expansion of the track, and only the track.

The refocused project goal is to produce an eight lane all-weather track with two straight of ways, one down either side of the track. Spatially, this track will fit at the already designated location and will allow multiple field events to occur at the same time.

Currently, the high estimate of this project is $250,000 for the all-weather track and labor costs combined. The track itself should cost around $150,000 and labor needed to produce that track is expected at $100,000.

Around $80,000 has already been raised for this project, making the remaining estimate to be around $170,000. Included in this cost will also be the irrigation system for the current football field in the center of the track.

The Project 56 committee is currently talking to Davenport School District to find out the total cost of their completed six lane all-weather track. They hope this will create a better estimate of expected labor costs of the project.

In order to monitor and let the community know how much money has been raised for Project 56, there will be thermometers showing the amount of money raised and how much more is needed to reach the goal. A thermometer will be posted in The Journal once a month, a large one will be located in the downtown area and a slightly smaller one will be located in the high school gymnasium.

An information table will also be set up at home basketball games to answer questions from the community and to encourage community members to donate to the project.

The Project 56 committee is currently researching and applying for various track and field grants that will help fund the project. They are also applying to different foundations that give money to promote youth sports.

With the new track in place, Ritzville would be qualified to host invitational meets. This facility could host multiple invitational track meets a year, bringing hundreds of athletes and supporters to each meet. These events would help bring money into the local economy as the teams and supporters would need places to sleep, eat and shop during their stay.

Community members can still make donations by purchasing a memorial plaque, buying a meter or donating wheat. The Project 56 committee is still brainstorming other fundraising ideas in hopes of hosting an event that community members can attend.

The Project 56 committee and community members that attended last week’s meeting all decided focusing only on the track renovation is best for the future of the entire project. The baseball field renovation will be considered only after the completion of the track portion of the project.

The tennis courts have been completely refinished and after the last resealing, those courts should not have to be refinished for at least another two years.

The committee encourages the community to continue their generous donations in order to make this track possible for school athletic programs and community members who use the current facility on a regular basis.

For those interested in donating to Project 56 or who have questions, please contact Lori Olson at 659-1055.