By Jean Cole
CLEMENTS — A group of parents and other volunteers hope to build a playground and competition running track at Blue Springs Elementary School by collecting donations, pursuing grants and launching fundraisers.
Once built, it would be there for students at Blue Springs and Clements High School, for the public, and for county track and field competitions.
It would be the first competition level track in Limestone County, which could generate money by hosting area events.
Gary Van Wagnen, parent/volunteer, presented the Clements/Blue Springs Area Community Track and Playground Project to members of the Limestone County school board during their regular monthly meeting Monday. Board members approved the plan, which would not call for any money from the school system.
The proposal calls for an oval, quarter-mile, eight-lane track, a 1600-meter cross-country course, field event sites — such as a long-jump pit, pole vault and high-jump pits as well as areas for shot put and discus. The proposal also calls for playground equipment, bleachers, restrooms, lights and, eventually, a soccer field in the center of the track.
The project would be built in four phases as money allowed.
In the coming weeks, the group will complete a plan and cost estimate, identify a list of possible individual and corporate donors, and begin a donation campaign in February.
Work would begin in conjunction with the completion of Blue Springs Elementary School — which is set to open this year.
Runners at Clements currently practice in the parking lot and use mattresses and tires to cushion jumpers.
When school board members sought bids on the Blue Springs school, they asked for alternate bids for playground equipment. However, the project was eliminated due to lack of money.
