Satellite Beach residents who want the Satellite Beach High School track upgraded and opened to the public do not take the matter lightly. At all.
Even after getting a 4-1 vote from the City Council on April 5 approving the track renovations, supporters of the plan showed up in force at a town hall meeting last week to confront Councilman Mark Brimer – the sole no vote – and pressure him to change his stance and get behind the plan.
Brimer, who was asked at the meeting why he was reluctant to endorse the plan, agreed to change his vote from no to yes after being assured earlier that day by school officials that the track would still be secure if it was opened to the public.
His surprise announcement prompted a cheer by the group, which included several stars from the high school track team.
Because the town hall meeting held at Montecito was strictly informational, Brimer said he would officially reverse his vote at the next city council meeting.
“I was just wanting to make sure it wasn’t going to be vandalized,” he said.
With the planned improvements, the track is expected to become a destination for regional high school track meets and a favorite training place for community runners who will benefit from a new high-tech rubberized surface that protects runners’ bodies by cushioning the shock of heels pounding the ground.
On April 5, the city council voted 4-1 to enter into an agreement with the high school to assist in repairing and upgrading the track, contributing $30,000 in exchange for the track being opened to the public whenever possible after renovations are complete.
The plan was presented to the council by track coach Doug Butler, who explained the opportunity was at hand to enhance a basic fix-up funded by the Brevard County School Board.
Butler proposed that the track be configured into eight lanes and covered in a sponge-like substance rather than the initial idea of having six lanes of asphalt.
The new type of surface is fast, easier on bones and joints during training and could actually serve as a draw for elite high school runners from other schools to attend Satellite High, something that is allowed under open enrollment rules.
Butler reported that he had already raised $84,000 – including substantial contributions by the local adult running community – to increase the upgrade project to the eight-lane plan but still needed the $30,000 for the deal to go through.
Citing resurgent interest in running and fitness as evidenced by high levels of participation in the Mayor’s Fitness Challenge, City Council member Mindy Gibson, herself a runner, met with high school staff to discuss making the track accessible to the public.
As part of the agreement with the city approved by the council, the track would be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on the weekends, except when a school or track team function is scheduled.
Exact terms of the agreement are expected to be worked out in the future but with the stipulation it be open to the public “whenever possible.”
Instead of being an embarrassment for its tough surface, poor condition and lack of enough lanes to properly conduct a track meet, Satellite High’s track could become a destination facility the community could be proud of that is looked to for larger meets and maybe even state championships, Butler said.
“The track improvement would also have a significant impact on our community, as the track could be in a condition to hold regional competitive events,” said City Manager Courtney Barker.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in track and field events with our high school.”
Butler said he wanted to get council approval for the money so that construction could begin as soon as possible with the idea of having the track rehabbed and used for training during the upcoming school year.
