Allegheny Valley School District officials are setting the record straight in regard to use of the district’s new track and field complex.
Questions have circulated in recent weeks about whether the public is permitted to use the newly renovated complex at Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School.
The facility is open for community use, according to district officials, and has been for about a month since construction crews completed the final phase of work on the track.
Any closures were because the facility just wasn’t ready, officials said.
School board President Paula Moretti said the track was temporarily closed while contractors finished work at the site.
“They were finishing construction on the track, so we felt it was unsafe at that time for the community,” Moretti said.
After that work was completed, the closure continued for a brief time to allow freshly painted track lines to cure properly.
“It was closed about a month ago because they were finishing painting the lines on the track and had to let them sit for a week after that, but it’s been open,” said Jay Zangrilli, the district’s building and grounds director.
Since its reopening, district officials said, residents have returned to using the facility, particularly for walking and exercise.
“There have been people walking on it,” Moretti said. “… It’s nice that the community gets to benefit from that renovation.”
The new complex marks a significant investment for the district. Allegheny Valley recently constructed its own athletic facility after previously leasing Veterans Memorial Field in Springdale for football games.
The district’s new field and track now provide a permanent home for school athletics while also creating a recreational space for residents.
While the track is available to the public, officials said there are circumstances when access will be limited.
Superintendent Pat Gracyzk said the district plans to close the facility at night for security purposes, though exact hours have not yet been finalized by the school board.
“In the evenings, it will be closed around 7, but that fluctuates,” Gracyzk said. “They want to keep it open as long as they can, so they lock it around the time it starts to get dark.”
The facility is expected to reopen each morning when members of the custodial staff arrive.
Officials also said the track and field will be unavailable during the school day once classes resume to ensure student safety. During the academic year, the public will also be asked to avoid using the area when school sports teams, extracurricular activities or other organized events are taking place.
“The students come first,” Gracyzk said.
Even with those restrictions, district leaders emphasized that community access remains an important goal.
The complex already has hosted youth camps and summer athletic activities. Gracyzk said the soccer team has begun using the new facility.
District officials noted that formal guidelines and operating hours are still being developed and will be publicly announced once approved by the school board.
For now, residents looking to walk the track can do so outside of scheduled school activities and daylight security closures.