Buies Creek, N.C.-Ground has been broken and the surface prepared for a regulation 400-meter track at Campbell University. The $1.2 million track facility, which will eventually include bleachers and a storage building, is located just off N.C. 27, behind the John W. Pope Convocation Center and in front of the Nathan Johnson Natatorium.
Head Track Coach Jim Patchell said the track will benefit Campbell in a variety of ways.
“Having a new track with a good surface will enable Campbell to hold home meets, something we haven’t been able to do in many years,” Patchell said. “The track will also be an excellent recruiting tool for new students, a practice facility for other sports and classes at Campbell, a venue for high school meets and a great exercise resource for the community.”
The construction will be completed in two phases, with the $850,000 eight-lane lane track projected to be completed in December or early January and the bleachers and storage building by spring 2011.
The new track also features a long jump runway, high jump area, pole vault runway, discus, shot put and hammer throwing areas.
“With the Campbell track team placing consistently in the top three at the Atlantic Sun Championships, having a new track might just push us over the edge,” Patchell said.