Excellent news!
Mac tracks running success
http://www.thespec.com/sports/univer...unning-success
McMaster University is on its mark and set to go with a new outdoor running track.
The planning stages for the project are now in motion thanks to a $2-million bequest the west Hamilton university received last summer from the estate of philanthropist Mona Campbell.
“It was specified to be used for our track team,” said Jeff Giles, McMaster’s director of athletics and recreation. “We asked the estate to redo our track. We might be able to get it done in the fall.”
The existing track on the McMaster campus is currently passable for joggers but is badly in need of repair. The track was also reduced in size on one side when the adjoining Ron Joyce Stadium was completed. The new eight-lane oval would be relocated basically on the same site, just shifted slightly to allow for more space.
“There will be artificial turf for the infield,” Giles said. “That will free up main stadium time.”
Giles estimates the overall cost will be between $1.2 and 1.5 million.
Campbell, who died in 2008 at the age of 89, received an honorary degree from McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business in 2003. She was chair and CEO of Dover Industries, which she inherited from her father when she was 33. At the time of her death, the company was Canada’s largest flour-milling operation. The well-known philanthropist and first female director of the Toronto-Dominion Bank gave to numerous arts, education and animal welfare programs. Supporting young athletes was also important to Campbell, whose father ran track for the University of Toronto.
Said Giles: “We are having a lot of success with our track and field programs. Hopefully, this will move it forward even more.”
McMaster took steps to solidify its running future by hiring Paula Schnurr last summer as its first full-time track coach. Schnurr is a Mac graduate who twice represented Canada at the Olympics in middle distance running. She started at McMaster as an assistant cross-country coach in 2007. Currently working with her as assistant coaches are Rory Sneyd and Peter Self.
“The surface will be Mondo, the same as our indoor facility,” Schnurr said. “that’s the highest quality surface, similar to Olympic tracks. It’s an excellent tool for recruiting purposes. We’d certainly be looking for the community to make use of it … rentals, etc.”
However, because there will likely be an artificial surface in the middle, the field portion of track and field meets would have to be held elsewhere.
Mac’s four-lane, 200-metre competitive indoor track at the David Braley Athletic Centre remains popular with students and the community. Said Schnurr: “You go up there any night after 7 o’clock and it’s filled with community athletes and clubs. The varsity team has the track for two hours of practice Monday to Friday. That’s excellent. We have exclusive use. And if you go up there any time during the day there are always student-athletes using the facility.”
The Marauders cross-country program has developed into a powerhouse. The Mac women placed second at the 2010 Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships and the men’s team was eighth. Jessica Pearo of Mac went undefeated for the season, including first-place finishes at the OUA and CIS finals. Victoria Coates was fifth at nationals and Sneyd was selected OUA Women’s Coach of the Year.
McMaster has launched a club called Harbour Track so athletes can continue to compete through the summer months.
“Having a new facility will be awesome for them,” Schnurr said. “Being able to continue their training on a high-quality surface can only help.”
According to Schnurr, with a new track in place, a goal for McMaster would be to host competitive Twilight Series Meets again as it did from 1994-2000.
McMaster’s OUA indoor track season began last weekend in Windsor. Jimmy Tat of the Marauders finished first in the men’s 600m event at the CAN/AM Invitational. Next up for the Marauders is the McGill Team Challenge Jan. 28-29 in Montreal.
Schnurr, incidentally, set CIS indoor records for the 1000 and 1500 metres.
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