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Although rumors are circulating among neighbors about the status of the Willow Glen High School track, Peggy Booth, the school's athletic director, insists that the track will be open to the public in the near future, and that the school has no plans to bar citizens from using the facility. The track is currently closed because the visitors' bleachers are still under construction.
"We want the public to use the track," Booth said. "The public passed the bond that repaired it, and we want them out there."
But while it is off limits one Willow Glen resident, Curt Gowan, suggested that to prevent confusion about the status of the track, the district might want to post a sign stating that the facility is temporarily closed due to construction.
According to Ty Williams, the San Jose Unified School District's director of construction, the contracting company, Beals Sport, has not yet finished renovating the track.
"If the public is allowed to use the track, the contractor can turn around and argue that damage was caused by use," Williams said. "We need to maintain control of the facility to limit that argument."
Although no specific date was given by Williams when the track would reopen, he said the bleachers are slated to be completed soon.
Booth also pointed out that once the local residents are able to use the track their presence will help prevent damage at the new facility.
"[The track's users] are going to be our eyes and ears," she said. "They can call the police immediately if they see people vandalizing or misusing the track."
The only time the track will be off limits to the public will be during school hours due to safety concerns, Booth said. After dark or early in the morning the main gates will be closed, but residents can still access the track through a gate in the northeast corner of the school which will remain open, she said.
Residents are welcome to use the track, but their pets should remain at home, Booth emphasized. Animal feces pose a health risk, she said, necessitating a restriction on pets. Booth also asks that residents only use the three outside lanes of the track to prevent wear and tear.
Other items and activities that are prohibited from the track include the use of drugs and tobacco, gum, peanuts, sunflower seeds, firearms, skating and bicycling The rules also do not permit golfing, cricket, archery and the use of stakes. And citizens are prohibited from using barbecues and shooting off fireworks.
Newly elected San Jose Unified School District board of education trustee Pam Foley, who represents Willow Glen schools, said she is an advocate of keeping the track open to the public once construction is complete.
"It is important that the facilities are open to the public," Foley said. "It's a public asset, just like it's a district asset. We should be able to work something out between the two. I'm encouraged by how many people use the track, and it should be available to them."
Willow Glen resident Rhonda Curry, who uses the track about once a week, said she is looking forward to its reopening. She said she is trying to gather walking and jogging enthusiasts to join a track club.
"We want to show the district that we are appreciative of the track," she said.
For more information about joining the track club, contact Rhonda Curry at rhonda_curryking@yahoo.com.
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