Track & Field Season ‘Not Likely To Happen’ In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — With the East Brunswick School District replacing the field turf and all of the track surfaces, the track and field season this spring is “not likely to happen,” Superintendent Victor Valeski told student-athletes and their families.

During the recently-held Board of Education meeting, parents expressed their concern about the many cancellations due to the replacement work at the field.

"We have concerns, of course, like everyone else about the turf field, and how it could interrupt our spring season,” said Angela Paglia. “We found out recently that our invitational has been canceled. So that affects our students with scholarships.”

“We just want to see what other events could potentially be canceled due to the restoration of the field, or if that will, in any way affect our season,” Paglia asked the Board.

Another parent, Sharmaine Phillps, told the Board she was looking for answers because coaches could not provide them with information.

“I have a graduating senior who is on a scholarship route. We really want to get these kids running. We heard what they did last week at sectionals, they brought home a championship and we want to keep that going,” said Phillips.

“Hopefully there would be some provision for the kids in terms of training at a different facility. I'm not sure what plans are in place,” she said.

Responding to the questions, Valeski told parents that given the nature of the work, the district might not see a spring season, but talks were on to provide students with an alternative.

“It's one project and it's going to involve a lot of labor and, and milling of the track surface to replace it. I'm just going to be completely honest — the season at East Brunswick is just not likely to happen,” Valeski said.

“We have reached out, and we are exploring with other school districts to be able to provide our athletes with premium facilities to practice on, just as we did with our football team.”

Valeski said he understood the impact this was having on senior athletes.

“But unfortunately, we are in this dilemma that in order to provide our community, our school, with this premium facility for next season, there is going to be an interruption,” Valeski said.

Board Secretary Bernardo J Giuliana informed parents and the Board that although the contract has been awarded, a definite timeframe for work completion could not be provided yet.

“We're waiting on the contractor to provide that to us. That of course is going to be driven by the availability of materials. And so, once we have more finite information, we'll be able to share that out,” Giuliana said.

Last year many student-athletes and residents expressed their concerns over the poor condition of the district's football field.

The turf was "beyond its useful life" before the two Tropical storms — Ida and Henri damaged it further. Since then the district has been working to replace the turf and upgrade track surfaces.

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