The Hummer Sports Park in Topeka has been unable to host a postseason track and field meet for the past two seasons due to wear and tear on the track at Weaver-Erwin Stadium. In response, USD 501 passed an agenda item on May 16 to repair and resurface the track. The project, led by McConnell and Associates from North Kansas City, Missouri, is expected to be completed in mid-to-late August at an estimated cost of $1,213,390.
The restoration project is the first of its kind since the track was established in 2003. Previous upgrades have focused on visual aesthetics, but this resurfacing effort is crucial for addressing infrastructure issues that have prevented Hummer Sports Park from hosting track and field competitions at the state or regional level.
One of the main concerns behind the track restoration project is the potential damage to the infield if the track is not updated. The turf field was replaced in 2015, and USD 501 wants to ensure that the condition of the football field is not compromised by a deteriorating track. Once the track resurfacing is complete, Hummer Sports Park will be able to once again host postseason track and field meets.
For more information on high school sports in Topeka, readers can reach out to Liam Keating at Lkeating@gannett.com.
