Falling Behind

Ipswich school district sought to improve their eight-lane athletic track and surrounding field with an improved field that met the demands of the community and students it served. The original track was not eligible for most state-approved events which meant that the Ipswich District had to travel to other schools and communities to participate in track and field activities. The original track also had other difficulties including problems with drainage flow from the center field during flooding seasons which collected water on the track and further limited usage.

Catching Up

Clark’s engineers were able to work with the district to develop plans that reconstructed the eight lane track, high jump, triple/long jump and pole vault field. The reconstructed field also included a storm sewer inside the track and a drain tile system for storm water management which will allow for usage during flooding seasons. Other features include a specialized track design which incorporates a special geo-textile fabric that aids in extending the life expectancy of the track.

Finishing Strong

This project was completed by effectively maximizing the budget and preparing the plans in separate bid schedules. By doing this, Clark was able to save the District $30K in construction costs. The improvement of the track has allowed the District to begin holding State-sanctioned events and has qualified the track to hold additional meets. The new track has also allowed the community to host special events such as Relay for Life.