Alexander Spartans Sports Complex Committee

04/30/2022

Great news for MLSD, their students and community!

08/12/2021

Last night, the committee informed the board and public of their extensive research and encouraged the need for long-term planning for facility improvements. Though we know cost is a significant deciding factor, it was our goal for the district to strive for long-term planning, but find a middle ground in reaching a short-term fix. Three options were proposed.

Option 1:
A multi-phased approach that best impacts all students, staff, and the community. It addresses all issues of concern and provides district and community growth. This involves the current practice fields being moved to the school’s property off of Meadowbrook Rd and developing it into a greater community use facility. The current track and soccer facilities relocated to the south end of Ayers Rd, and the existing track renovated for a safe academic and community use setting.

Option 2:
Renovating the existing track and field and stadium facilities. However, this plan remedies just a portion of the current issues the district is facing and brings about other concerns.

Option 3:
Renovating the existing track and field facilities and focusing on 15 priorities discussed last night. Resurfacing the track is NOT the only must needed action! Safety and compliance is very much a concern in other areas as well as PROPER repairs to avoid financial waste.

In addition to resurfacing the track, these 15 items must also be addressed.
• Track sub-surface, slope and elevation
• Drainage issues
• Track surface and to regulation
• Mitigate runoff from ARC and walkways
• Replace and relocate fencing
• New long jump area with proper runway
• Correct slope and surface area for high jump
• New pole vault area
• Relocate/adjust shot put
• New discus pit that includes the proper permanent safety netting
• Improve sidewalks around fencing and track and be ADA compliant to access the concessions stand
• Improve ingress and egress to grand stand areas
• Eliminate access or properly secure the track from outside use to prevent damage and ensure proper preservation and longevity of investments
• Safety mats for field access to prevent damage during field sport activities

The committee has an extensive list of much needed items requiring attention and is ever changing. Each option presented has pros and cons, but it is the committee’s desire to continue the discussions to address each concern and find solutions having the greatest positive impact on all students, the district, and the community.

❤️🖤

08/11/2021

Regular Board meeting August 11th 2021 7:00pm

08/09/2021

The committee will be presenting more information about our research and findings for the much needed repairs of the track and field facilities at this week’s board meeting. As we continue our discussions for short and long-term planning with the administration, we intend to remain transparent and appreciate the input from the Alexander community. Be sure to attend or watch online this Wednesday, August 11th at 7pm.

❤️🖤

07/31/2021

Senior night, one of the most look forward to events for a student athlete. Years of dedication to their sport - the practices, the games, the wins, the losses, the sweat, the tears, the late nights, the sacrifices, the memories with teammates and coaches - leading up to the final farewell and night of recognition. Walking with family across the home turf and being acknowledged by their biggest supporters and community.

Thank you, Nelsonville-York Buckeyes, for giving our Spartans the opportunity to have senior nights!

❤️🖤🧡🤎

07/30/2021

The life expectancy of the current Alexander track is over, and it’s beyond due for repairs and improvements. The track is over 50 years old and has no life left in it. It’s only getting worse.

In the late 1980’s, it was a cinder track then renovated to asphalt in the 1990’s. The all-weather rubber surface was installed during the late 1990’s. A grant was awarded in the early 2000’s to help offset the cost of resurfacing, which with normal use, is needed every 7-10 years to preserve and maintain the track. Shortly after resurfacing, drainage issues caused bubbling under the new surface. The most recent attempt at repairs was almost 10 years ago when patch work was performed. Which brings us to today… no extensive repairs, no improvements, no equity for students, and an unknown number of missed opportunities for growth and excellence for Spartans over the years.

The all-weather rubber surface has deteriorated to the point where the asphalt beneath it is cracked. There is significant drainage and grade issues, among many other concerns.

Speaking of grade… did you know the 100 meter dash has OVER A FOOT difference from the starting line to the finish line? In 100 meters, it’s over a 12 inch climb to reach the finish line!

Having only a 6 lane track restricts Alexander from hosting meets with more than 2 or 3 teams participating, and that’s IF it was in good condition! However, the proximity of lane 6 (the outside lane) to the chain link fence around the track is too close, and unfortunately, deemed unusable even if Alexander could host meets. Therefore, limiting the use of the track even more. Not to mention, the excessive amounts of debris littering the track and ponding water aiding its deterioration. So as it stands with the current conditions and limitations - no hosting meets, no hosting invitationals, no hosting conference meets, no hosting organization events such as the Special Olympics, barely able to practice, and limited use for academic instruction. It’s a safety concern, and the students and community deserve better.

And this is just a few examples of how the condition of the track is affecting the Alexander community. Stay tuned to hear many more reasons...

The time is now.

❤️🖤

07/28/2021

Being known as one of the worst track and field facilities in Southern Ohio, here is a virtual tour of just the Alexander track lanes and some of the track athletes competing at local districts. Aside from the needed track surface improvements, proper safety equipment is lacking amongst the field events at Alexander, or a pole vault pit, which is simply non-existent.

Did you know it’s nearly impossible for the Alexander track and field teams to win conference meets or invitationals due to having no means of practicing and competing in pole vault? Roger Gilders, Alexander’s long-standing pole vault record holder from 1976, was once also a state pole vault record holder! Many talented athletes have roots at Alexander. The talent is and has been there over the years, but the facilities, necessary improvements, and opportunities have not…

07/22/2021

Over the years, the Alexander community has seen some of the district’s facilities deteriorate and be overused, specifically the track, while seeing area schools plan and make improvements. With the current conditions, the track and field team is unable to host home meets let alone have safe practice facilities, soccer is asked to relocate matches due to the condition of Alexander’s game fields, and the marching band lacking a safe and proper practice field, just to name a few of the concerns…

Recently, members of the Alexander community has led a shift in what was student and spectator comments to being open dialogue and conversations with the district’s administration. A volunteer committee was formed, composed of an array of community stakeholders wanting to start the discussion of the needed short and long-term future improvements to provide equitable opportunities and growth for all students.

At this evening’s monthly school board meeting, the Alexander Spartans Sports Complex Committee formally introduced itself to initiate the discussion of the district’s future planning needs. Four courageous students offered to briefly tell their personal experiences and demonstrate the importance and impact the Alexander School District, its current offerings, and its limitations have had on their lives. Please consider listening to tonight’s meeting to hear their stories.

We encourage the community to take a closer look at the current state of the district’s outdoor facilities. Walk the track, drive by and visit local school districts… is there equity for supporting every Alexander student? When students are provided with proper resources and opportunities that fit individual circumstances, the entire school improves, and equity then extends to the community.

As the committee continues to rapidly grow, we welcome community participation, ideas, feedback, questions, and a spot at the table to further progress these needed discussions. We look forward to researching all options, considering solutions, and envisioning the district’s bright future ahead for all students, staff, and members of the community.

❤️🖤

Regular Board meeting July 21st 2021 7:00pm

07/21/2021

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Alexander Spartans Sports Complex Committee. For years, community members have noticed significant deterioration of athletic facilities, especially track and field, and the lack of short and long-term planning for needed improvements.

Recently, a group of volunteers came together and formed a committee with the purpose of starting conversations with Alexander’s Administration and its community. As the committee continues to grow and explore possibilities, we encourage public participation and input to properly identify a resolution that best fits the current and future needs of the district. Through discussions, community involvement, and researching options, the committee hopes to find a viable solution that maximizes the positive impact for all students, the district, and the community.