By Dan Hardenbrook
Those who have been hoping and dreaming for a new track in Newberry received disappointing news at the latest Tahquamenon Area Schools Board of Education meeting.
During his administrative report, Athletic Director Anthony Kitzman delivered an update from the company that was expected to complete the project. Due to the worsened condition of the current track, which was supposed to be used as a base for a new fully rubberized surface, additional steps will be needed to demolish the track and rebuild it instead.
The track renovation project is now on hold while the district considers the additional cost the project will now require.
What was once a $118,000 project will now cost nearly triple that much. It came as a major shock—Kitzman described it as “gut punch”—because Kitzman had reached his fundraising goal and was in the process of scheduling the construction when the company, Fisher Tracks, notified him of the new situation.
“They [Fisher Tracks] came to make sure the track was in good enough shape,” Kitzman said. “When they came to look at the track they said it has eroded to the point that if they were to put the polyurethane surface down now, it would not sustain itself. Basically, the cracks in the current surface have separated.”
Portions of the current track have broken off completely, including parts of multiple lanes on one of the corners.
In an email to Kitzman that was shared at the meeting, Darin Olofson, track consultant and certified track builder with Fisher, informed Kitzman how much worse the surface got in the two years. Newberry hasn’t hosted a home track meet since 2023 due to safety concerns regarding the track.
“Last month, Josh from our office stopped to look over your asphalt track,” the email reads. “The condition of the asphalt is such that it wouldn’t support the rubber surface. I don’t think we will meet your district’s expectations when completed.”
Olofson added his recommendation for next steps for Newberry. “We recommend refurbishing the existing track site to meet the NFHS competition and safety guidelines. An improved subbase, and new asphalt are needed first before the rubber surface.”
Kitzman is considering next steps for the facility, working closely with members of the board and new Superintendent Shawn Tebo. Kitzman is adamant that once the school district reaches the point where they can finally move forward, the rubberization project is still fully funded.
Approximately $100,000 was raised through community donations and pledges, fundraiser events, and business sponsorships. Kitzman worked with Tebo and the administration to rework the athletic budget for the upcoming school year to cover the remaining $18,000, and the project was going to launch in the next few weeks.
“We have the money. It’s all there. And we will have the full $118,000 if we ever rubberize,” Kitzman said.
All money donated has been specifically set aside and marked for the polyurethane project, he said, and will not be used for other parts of the project or moved to support other areas of the athletic department.
Two options for TAS include replacing the asphalt surface, which would require levelling and other repairs before a top layer is put on the current surface. Once a new asphalt surface is laid down and painted, the school could host meets and practices safely.
Kitzman said the cost of “resurfacing” with asphalt would range anywhere from $150-175K, based on estimates received two years ago.
For a complete demolition and rebuild with a rubberized surface at the facility, Kitzman says the lowest price he’s seen was right around $360,000.
