Track at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium to Close During Winter Turf Replacement

The running track at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium will close in December and stay closed into February while crews replace the field's artificial turf, a project that will shut down a popular walking and jogging spot for much of the winter.

Clay County Schools Superintendent Melissa Godfrey said the project's notice to proceed is set for Nov. 16, and the first work at the stadium will likely be removal of the concrete curb around the field while the new turf is being manufactured. She anticipates that work will begin in December.

By any measure, the replacement comes none too soon. From the stands, the field still looks serviceable, but down at field level its true condition is plain to see. Worn, painted surfaces sit raised above the surrounding areas, creating a tripping hazard and an unsafe condition for the athletes who play on it.

The contract date for completion is Feb. 14.

"I would anticipate the track being closed December and January and part of February," Godfrey said.

The schedule may move faster than first outlined. Godfrey said the original timeline — design completed Oct. 5, with bidding and permitting running through Nov. 13 — built in time for a rebid period in case the district did not receive at least three bids.

The stadium has already hosted its final event on the old surface. The Hayesville boys soccer team closed out the field Monday night with a 4-2 playoff win over Albemarle, the program's school-record 13th victory of the season. The football team's playoff game Friday is on the road at Cherokee, so no further home events are scheduled before construction begins.

Residents who walk and run the stadium track for exercise should plan on finding an alternate route until the project wraps up in February.