SALAMANCA — The Louis C. Foy Memorial Track is receiving a complete makeover with the beginning of Phase 4 of the Salamanca City Central School District’s ongoing capital project.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held March 26 at the Iroquois Drive campus track and field complex with school and government officials along with Turner Construction and LaBella Associates representatives in attendance.
In the coming months, the project will be going full steam ahead with renovations and additions planned for the outdoor athletic facilities around the high school and Seneca Intermediate School, including a new track, multi-purpose field, softball field, tennis courts and natural grass practice field.
Board of Education member Dale Colton thanked the district residents for their support of the school’s capital projects during the past several years to improve the facilities.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of our Salamanca community and all of the positive votes we’ve had,” he said.
As with the Veterans Memorial Park project from 2021, Colton said the new track and field will be open for the community to utilize.
“I used to come down here and run on the track when I was a young adult because it was the nicest facility around,” he recalled.
Janet Koch, Ward 5 councilwoman, thanked the school district on behalf of the city for bringing beautiful new infrastructure to the community that the city could not do alone.
“Not only does it bring beautiful buildings but it brings people into our community,” she said. “Whatever they come to to support the school, they stop at our shops and we appreciate it.”
Officials from Labella Associates and Turner Construction also expressed their appreciation of the school for long-time working relationships that have turned out well with many capital projects over the years.
District Superintendent Dr. Mark Beehler also thanked Julian Schnopp, project manager from Turner, for his five years of working on capital projects at the school district, presenting him with two tokens of appreciation from the school.
The school’s track and field team practices at various spots around the district as well as at the Cattaraugus-Little Valley campus twice a week, Athletic Director Chad Bartoszek said.
In May 2022, voters approved the $21.49 million Phase 4 capital improvement project with no tax impact for renovations at the Iroquois Drive athletics fields, maintenance building and transportation building with a 315-30 tally.
