At the construction site of the new track and field, large mounds of dirt are heaped in the middle of the track and over size machinery is buzzing about. A large roller is going around the track over and over again.
About half a block is being made into something Colorado Mesa University has never had before, an on-campus track and field.
This endeavor started last summer and shut down construction during the winter months, because of weather conditions.
The contracted company, Skyline (Foreman- Eric) said they are there prepping for the tracks pavement to be laid on Monday March 9, 2020. The project is estimated to be completed before next fall.
The track is located on Orchard Avenue and Cannel Avenue. The practice baseball field is to the left on Cannel Avenue and the track to the right. At the moment, the view of the track field is blocked by the green wind breaker on the chain link fencing. Then along Orchard Avenue it continues to the tennis courts and a parking lot up to 12th street ending with the Lacrosse Field facing 12th Street
So far it looks as if there will be two entrances, one on Cannel Avenue, which also leads straight through to Elm Avenue. With a right turn to 7th Street. Parking is always been a challenge with Colorado Mesa University, but on Elm Avenue across the street from Confluence Hall there is a small student parking area. Student parking is also above the tennis court. Then on 12th street next to the Mav’s center, beside the Lacrosse field is another student parking area. For students living on campus, walking distance will be cut down as well.
With the new hotel on the other side of Elm Avenue, families can stay for the weekends to be close and watch their track stars preform on the new track and field. The track also has long jump pits, that later will be covered, but now are a big metal square hole.
Eliot Ward, a sophomore sprinter on the CMU track team, He is super excited about the new track field, because right now the team practices at Stoker Stadium and Grand Junction High School.
“It’s going to be nice to have our own track and field to practice on,” Ward said.
