Littleton Track Organization

FAQ

How much is this going to cost?
The debt service cost for the track project is $4.56 per $100,000 of home value. For the average Littleton home valued at $400,000, the annual cost will be $18.25 for 15 years.

Town residents will be asked to approve borrowing of $735,000 for the track and field facility reconstruction.

How much will on-going maintenance be and how will we pay for it?
Planning and funding for the periodic maintenance expenses for the track have been concretely addressed. Since the LTO began advocating for a reconstructed track and field facility, the most common concern heard from the community is about maintenance costs. Wisely, residents do not want to invest in a facility if there is not an adequate plan to maintain it and keep it in a safe and usable condition.

Because of these concerns, the LTO began the Littleton Road Race three years ago not only as a way to promote running and fitness, but also as a fundraiser to offset future maintenance costs of a reconstructed track. Thanks to the wonderful support from residents, both as participants and volunteers, the annual Littleton Road Race has proved to be a viable model to pay for the maintenance expenses for the life of the track.

While the new track will not need significant maintenace for approximately seven years, we can expect the cost of maintenance to average $6,000 per year over the life of the track. To date, the LTO has raised over $19,000.

How was the existing track built?
In 1979, a "Track Committee", formed of Booster Club members and other residents, organized an effort to construct the track. The cost of the track was $136,000, and was approved at the May ($110,000) and September ($26,000) town meetings. The track was built on school property by the high school and middle school (now Russell Street Elementary School and the Littleton Middle School). Construction began in October 1979, and was ready for the spring track season.
Who uses the track?
The track is truly a community resource. Littleton residents of all ages use the track for running, jogging, and walking. In addition, the Littleton High School and Littleton Middle School outdoor track teams use the track for daily practices and for hosting meets. An indoor track team and a cross-country club have recently been added to the athletic program, and these also use the track for training. The track is also used by physical education classes at the schools as well as some programs offered through Park & Recreation.
What's wrong with the existing track?

The existing track has large cracks, numerous breaks, and uneven surfaces. Field event areas are extremely deteriorated. You can view photos of the existing track to examine the conditions.

Synthetic surfaces used in track construction today have the ability to be repaired and maintained. The rubberized asphalt used on the existing track, which was typical for tracks built in the 1970's, has limited ability for repair and maintenace. Unfortunately, the existing track cannot simply be "patched" to bring it to a usable condition.

First and foremost these conditions pose a safety hazard to athletes and residents who use the track, and a liabiltiy issue for the town. The surface is particularly dangerous for athletes training and competing on the track, as the metal spikes they wear can easily get caught or stuck in cracks, which can result in serious injury.

Coaches and athletic directors from other schools do not want their athletes competing on our track, and Littleton has frequently had to move their home meets to the other school. Although the home meets can be moved, the track remains the only facility available for daily training.

Why now? Why not wait?

In 1979, the economic outlook was not rosy either. Some headlines from the Littleton Independent in 1979 remind us of what we see today: "Littleton Finance Committee Girds for Tighter Spending," "Superintendent Sees Bleak Outlook," "Selectmen Promise No New Hiring." Despite this, the town recognized the need for a track that would benefit both the student-athletes and the town, and voted overwhelmingly in favor of constructing a track.

The current conditions of the track pose a safety issue for residents and athletes who use it, and a liability issue for the town.

In addition, the bid process would be very competitive in this environment, and we could expect a noticeable cost savings.

Didn't we just pay for a new high school, a new middle school and a renovated elementary school? Why don't we have a new track?
A new track was outside the scope of the high school construction (LHS opened 2001) and the middle school construction (LMS opened 2006) and the Russell Street Elementary School renovation project (2010).
Littleton Track Organization  • info@littletontrack.org  • Littleton, Massachusetts