South Elgin High School Track

School District U-46

OBJECTIVE

The existing running track had a severely settled section in one quadrant, rendering it unusable. The School District needed to upgrade the condition of the track for the safety of the users, and construction needed to be completed during summer while school was out of session.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

DLA Architects, Ltd. contracted with Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) for School District U-46 to prepare project plans and specifications for a track repair project, which was part of a larger facility improvement initiative.

The comprehensive project included multiple enhancements, such as adding a press box to the top of the existing bleachers, installing stadium lighting, reconstructing the track, relocating the long jump track, performing various pavement repairs, and addressing grading issues.

The plans involved a full-depth removal and replacement of one quarter of the track. Prior to plan preparation, a soils investigation was conducted in collaboration with a soils subconsultant to determine the cause of the track settling. It was discovered that earth fill had been placed over a layer of topsoil during the site's construction about 15 years earlier. The topsoil layer had settled under the weight of the fill but had likely reached its compaction limits at the time of the investigation. To address potential further settling, the new asphalt pavement section included a geogrid layer for added strength.

Furthermore, an area of the stadium was regraded to facilitate the relocation of the long jump track to a more suitable location, and a drainage system for the long jump pits and take-off boards was incorporated.

Engineering services provided encompassed a topographic survey, plan and specification preparation, engineer's estimates of probable cost, coordination with a geotechnical consultant, submittals to School District U-46, and construction observation. The construction was successfully completed during the summer of 2019.

Throughout the construction process, extensive coordination with the contractor and School District U-46 was required to ensure adherence to the plans and specifications.