Gainesville School makes plans and seeks funding for new track

The Gainesville School is currently in the planning stages of a $1 million project to replace the school’s track, which sits at the Benton F. Breeding Stadium, adjacent to the elementary school.

The Gainesville track is owned by the school and sits on school property. It is used by the school’s competitive track and field teams, as well as the cross country teams for practice, but in its current state, it is not possible to use the space to host track meets. Other students at the school also use the track periodically. Gainesville elementary gym classes often take advantage of the facility, and it is the location of various school events like the upcoming fall carnival, field day and after-school programs. In addition to school use, the track has and will continue to be accessible by the community and general public, officials say.
The Gainesville School District has made some dramatic improvements over the last decade - new school roofs, baseball and softball fields, automated greenhouse, computer lab, preschool building and an 8,000-square-foot addition to the front of the high school that serves as a community storm shelter.
All these things have been made possible without a tax increase to local residents. Instead, the updates have been made thanks (at least in part) to millions of dollars worth of grant funding that school officials and board members have secured over the years.
The improvements have the campus looking sharp, with the exception of one particular eyesore - the school’s track.
The track, poured of asphalt in the 1970s, is in pretty bad shape. It has large cracks spanning the entire surface with grass and other plants growing from the fractured blacktop. Fading painted lines mark five lanes, three fewer than are needed for modern track meet hosting.
With interest in the school’s running programs continuing to grow and an uptick in community use at the track, school officials have made the track a priority project in the coming years.
It is in that effort that the school has created the plan for Project BARK, an acronym that stands for Bulldogs Active Recreation and Kids Project. It has also sought out funding for the project with hopes that district funds can be combined with grant funding to make the $1 million project a reality.
What is the BARK Project?
The BARK Project centers on the construction of a new 8-lane, 400-meter track that adheres to competitive athletic standards. The project will begin with the demolition of the existing 5-lane asphalt track, which has significantly deteriorated over the years and lacks ADA accessibility.
Following the demolition, site preparation will involve grading the land to establish a level foundation, ensuring that the track has the necessary support and stability. This will also include implementing an effective drainage system to prevent water accumulation, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the track surface, officials say.
The new track will be constructed using advanced synthetic materials specifically designed for athletic performance. The materials provide better traction and shock absorption, minimizing the risk of injuries for users during training and competitions, officials say. The lanes are planned as 1.22 meters wide, allowing ample space for multiple participants to run concurrently. The track will feature a standardized turning radius to promote smoother transitions for athletes during races.
The project will also include the installation of ADA-compliant access points and parking areas. Accessible parking spots, located in close proximity to the track entrance, will be clearly marked. The parking area will be paved and level and will have designated accessible routes that lead from the parking spaces to the track itself. The path from parking lot to the track will be designed to accommodate individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
The school does not plan to limit access to the track to the community with the exception of when school-sponsored running events or other activities are in progress. Therefore, the track will be available for community and public use most of the time, the same as it is now.
Why is it needed?
The school’s current track has several challenges that require attention. The site features a 5-lane asphalt track that was built more than 50 years ago. It has deteriorated significantly over the decades, resulting in an uneven surface that poses safety risks to users. Hazards such as cracks, weeds and debris have emerged, and those issues are compounded by poor drainage that leads to standing water, further inhibiting usability and increasing the likelihood of slips and falls.
Additionally, the lack of ADA-compliant parking spaces makes access difficult for individuals with disabilities, and overgrown vegetation around the site obscures visibility, creating safety concerns.
School officials say that Gainesville is one of eight schools in the Summit Conference, and none of the schools’ track facilities meet the requirements to host district track meets. That means the teams have to travel very long distances to compete in districts. In May 2024, districts were held in Cuba, a three-hour drive from Gainesville, meaning players and parents were on the road six hours for the district meet.
What are the potential benefits or goals for this project?
The BARK Project offers significant short- and long-term benefits for outdoor recreation within the Gainesville community, officials say. In the short term, the construction of the new 8-lane track will provide immediate access to a modern facility that meets contemporary athletic standards, encouraging students and community members to engage in physical activity.
The facility will enhance the capacity for hosting school events, track meets and community gatherings, fostering a sense of community pride and involvement. Additionally, the installation of ADA-compliant parking ensures that individuals with disabilities have equitable access to the track, promoting inclusivity in recreational activities.
In the long term, the project will serve as a foundational element for promoting lifelong fitness and wellness among residents of all ages. The improved track will not only cater to athletes but also encourage casual users, families and walking groups to utilize the space regularly.
As the facility becomes a hub for athletic activities, it will inspire the development of future programs and events that promote physical fitness, teamwork and community engagement.
Ultimately, the BARK Project aims to create a vibrant, active community where outdoor recreation is an integral part of daily life, contributing to the long-term well-being of all residents in Gainesville.
What will it cost?
The project is estimated to cost $1 million. The budget estimates that cost to be broken up in the following way: $10,000 for planning, engineering and an environmental review, $60,000 for site work, $20,000 to demolish the current track and $910,000 to construct the new track.
How will it be funded?
The school is hoping the project will be funded with $500,000 in district funds and financial or in-kind sponsors, matched with a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant, offered through the Missouri State Parks system.
The grant program offers funding of up to $500,000 per project to local governments, cities, counties and public schools. Fifty percent of the amount requested, $500,000 in this instance, must be matched by the entity applying.
The LWCF website says eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, playgrounds, ball fields, pools and water parks, archery and shooting ranges, camping activities, golf courses, boating and fishing facilities, trails and passive areas.
In Ozark County, LWCF grant funds have been used by Bakersfield School at Pride Park, the City of Gainesville at Hoerman Memorial Park, the Department of Conservation at Patrick Bridge and Blair Bridge Accesses and Thornfield School for an outdoor recreation area.
What is the timeline like?
The Gainesville School is currently in the process of submitting a proposal to the grant program, a lengthy and detailed process.
Proposals are due this fall, and winning applications will be announced in the fall of 2025. If awarded the grant, the project construction would likely be completed in 2026.
The school would have two years to complete the project, but officials say it is not expected to take the full two years to demolish and replace the track.
What can you do to help?
As part of the grant application process, the Gainesville School is currently gathering information and data from the community about how they use the track and what components of the track should be prioritized in their opinion.
Everyone in the community who uses the track is invited and encouraged to fill out a survey, which is available on the school’s Facebook page or by emailing jgilmore@gainesville.k12.mo.us.
The school is also accepting financial donations and donations of in-kind labor for the project.
Have questions? Reach out.
For more information about the project or the grant proposal, contact Gainesville School Superintendent Justin Gilmore at 417-679- or jgilmore@gainesville.k12.mo.us.