Extensive renovations to the  varsity running track should be completed in the next few weeks. University officials are looking forward to restoring a variety of competitions and special events that had been forced to be canceled.

“Our varsity track is once again in excellent condition,” Assistant Vice Chancellor Brock Williams said. “As a result, we can resume hosting Southeastern Conference and other collegiate meets and we hope to bring back the Regional Special Olympics and the Great Eight, a long-time local high school competition that we were unable to entertain this past year."

The track had sustained considerable damage from overuse since it was last resurfaced in 2002. To prevent a recurrence, the university has decided to limit use of the track to members of the Student Recreation Center.

“Because we realize the track has had heavy use from the campus and community over the years, we studied several options in developing this policy,” Williams said. “It was discussed on many levels, including the university’s senior administration.  We found that we need better controls as unrestricted access has been proven unworkable.”

A Mondo surface was installed on the track, which sits just west of the Recreation Center near the corner of Natchez Trace and Blakemore, in the summer of 2002 and was considered one of the finest in the Southeast at the time of installation. Although the surface’s life expectancy was 15 years, it lasted only seven.

After research that included conversations with the manufacturer and officials of other organizations that have the Mondo surface, it was determined that the poor condition of the track was the result of overuse and abuse. University officials found evidence the track had been used by people wearing improper shoes, wheeled vehicles and pets.

The degraded condition of the track and infield also caused injuries to varsity student-athletes and the inability of the varsity track and cross country teams to use the track during the critical fall training months.

When the renovations are completed and the track reopens, only individuals who are members of the Student Recreation Center will be able to gain access to the track.

Vanderbilt students through their Student Activity Fees and varsity athletic teams are included with other Student Recreation Center members as having user privileges on the track.  The track will be open to members during the Rec Center’s regular hours, except for the time that it is used by varsity teams.

Memberships to the Student Recreation Center, a comprehensive, 134,000-square foot fitness facility, are available to Vanderbilt faculty and staff as well as the Nashville community.  Currently there are about 800 faculty and staff members.

For membership information, contact the Student Recreation Center at 615-343-6627 or visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/campusrecreation/feesheet09-10.pdf.