By Stephen Smoot
Track season, at least after the first few weeks, sees student-athletes sprinting, hurdling, leaping, and throwing under the warm springtime sun.
The weather for last week’s ceremony of appreciation for the repairs of the track at Moorefield Middle School, temperatures just above freezing, icy winds, and driving rain, could not have provided more of a contrast.
The warm expressions of appreciation to the team effort that it took to make the day happen, however, added light to a dreary day.
Logan Moyers spoke at the event on behalf of the Moorefield Athletic Boosters, whose tireless efforts played a vital role in organizing support.
He shared that the nearly quarter of a century old track only offered a bare asphalt surface for the first six or seven years. Between six and seven years later, the track received a rubberized surface and was rededicated in memory of William Deal Hunt.
Once improved for the safety of runners, the track experienced heavy use. Besides the track competitions held there, the West Virginia National Guard and law enforcement agencies used it for training. Also, it serves as a center for those trying to get healthier through exercise.
As Moyers described, fairly quickly, the heavy use of the surface rubbed off the rubberization in some areas. Some lanes could not be safely used and area schools started to decline invitations to meets there.
“Enough was enough,” Moyers stated.
“The Boosters took the initiative to get the track resurfacing project off the ground,” he then said. They met with Hardy County Schools Superintendent Sheena Van Meter and Board of Education members to commence conversations about restoring the track to safe and effective use.
At first, the bill for the project was set at approximately $200,000. The Boosters organization pledged to match community donations dollar for dollar, eventually that resulted in a combined $100,000 to pay for repairs.
The race at that point was still only half won, but the success of community fundraising inspired Pendleton Community Bank to step in and take the baton. They offered a no interest loan to cover the rest of the cost. Moyers called it “an offer too good not to pass up” and emphasized that PCB came to the Boosters with the offer that all expected would take the project over the finish line.
Or so everyone thought.
As work commenced, a number of serious structural issues came to light that would add significantly to the original cost estimate. Moyers stated that at this point, they “needed a lot more funds” and their “backs were against the wall.”
Once again, the community pulled together to get help. Both the Hardy County Commission and Town of Moorefield Council voted $60,000 a piece to aid the Boosters. Area legislators also helped from their discretionary funds. Delegate Bryan Ward provided $10,000 while State Senators Randy Smith and Jay Taylor put in $5,000 each.
Governor Jim Justice, who was scheduled to come to the facility last Monday, brought a $100,000 check
The full effort was, as Moyers said “four years in the making,” but should provide a solid and safe surface for decades of student-athlete use.
