Not just history, oUR story
We’re building a legacy that already has roots.
This track is for our community, honoring our community and is building on a story that has already been in motion for over two decades.
As with any great venture, there have been challenges along the way. We’re ready to get this track across the finish line.
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2002
Superintendent Begins Talks
Superintendent Tom Crane, a former National Guardsman himself, begins talks with the Oregon National Guard to construct the track. The Oregon National Guard helps with projects like this around the state utilizing their heavy equipment and equipment operators. Tom Crane thought of this as a community track, and even called it Pine Eagle Community Track. He was hoping to host track meets, and noted the potential benefits to the local economy.
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April 2005
OR National Guard Commits
The Oregon National Guard commits to helping with the excavation, trenching and grading for the track. A subcontractor would then lay the asphalt, which would allow for the third phase: rubberized surface. At this point in time, the first two phases has financial backing, but the third phase - the rubberized surface - still needed funds.
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May 2005
Community Supports Track
John Minarich, Pine Eagle School board member, along with Halfway Mayor Dan Brewer support the project. Local contractors were planning to deliver gravel. Portland firm Track Atlas Track and Tennis was available to install the rubberized surface. At this point, the School Board discussed spending $80,000 they had from insurance money on the track. This combined with a $20,000 grand from the Leo Adler Foundation, and a handful of other promised donations would add up to the $200,000 that was at the time needed to complete the track.
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Groundbreaking Ceremony
On July 6, 2005, members of the PESD board along with the mayor and Oregon National Guard break ground on the project. The National Guard, working under the Innovative Readiness Training Program, begins work to create the track. At this point, phases 1 and 2 were projected to be complete by Spring 2006, and the final rubberized surface was expected to be done by Spring 2007.
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August 2005
Delays in Track Project
The project was delayed because of a measurement problem, delays with laying the asphalt, and concerns about installing the sprinkler system. With winter and football season approaching, time was of the essence. Fundraising had also been paused due to the fundraising needs of the Pine Valley Fairgrounds. It was decided to continue fundraising efforts closer to the end of the year.
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August 2005
Funding Hurdles
Due to unplanned circumstances with construction prep for the track, the school board voted on a resolution To transfer $50,000 from the district's general fund to the cover track construction costs. The National Guard had left only one person the continue progress. Thanks to a soil donation from David Durr, the hole in the football field could be filled and a natural drainage solution could be configured.
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November 2005
Asphalt Laid
On November 16, 2005, asphalt was laid for the track. Between this date and the July 5th start date, a new drainage system had been installed, an underground sprinkler system was put in, the football field was crowned, and new grass was planted. Many community members volunteered their time and resources to make all of this happen. These people included: Local contractors and construction who workers donated equipment, Baker County donated a portion of the rock, school employees Marvin Schaber and Bob Digges who spent many hours on the project, Deputy Clerk Pam Hall Brisk who was invaluable in lending her experience running a construction company, Marvin Brisk and Mack Chetwood and his crew never gave up when the plan underwent major alterations, Hanley Engineering took the project on with special interest at a very late date, track coach Karen Endersby was also seen putting pipes in the ground, and middle and high school football teams helped clear some of the larger rock before the grass was planted. $93,000 had been spent to date on the track. Project completion was slated for June 2006, and $150,000 was still needed to fund the completion.
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July 2006
Fundraising Goal Almost Reached
Crane wrote a letter to the HCJ on June 29th stating that the school board currently had $70,000 in grants and pledges to install the final rubberized surface with painted lines. To finish the project they needed to raise $30,000 more to repay the school district’s contingency fund. Crane wrote about how the track will be a community asset and mentions how the track team was able to practice on the track in the spring. The fundraiser was asking parents, alumni, community members and businesses to by a tile that would be use to create a Pine Eagle Community Sports Complex commemorative wall in front of the complex.
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October 2006
Proposals to Finish the Track
Two different completion proposals for the Sports Complex were provided by PESD Head of Maintenance, Sean Thatcher. The first: $112,900 total for new field event areas that require construction and prep, asphalt and finish surface. The second: $106,400 that would develop existing areas with grass, underground sprinkler system, & excavation for a high jump and a finish surface. Both proposals include a track surface and 2 story 16 x 20’ crow’s nest and sound equipment. These figures also included the $50,000 to pay back the school’s contingency fund.
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