VIENNA — The Maries R-1 School Board has approved yet another additional expense for the Vienna High School Track project that will bring back the 300-meter track from one that’s falling apart to a fine, new track the school and community can be proud of.

At the school board’s August meeting, Superintendent Mark Parker said the Project Engineer for Byrne & Jones Sports Construction in a letter to him said after the initial grading and rolling of the base for the track, the track base failed to proof roll. Project Engineer Jack Kellett said this means “a fully loaded truck could not drive over the track without leaving ruts.” The company attempted remediation that included removing sections that failed the proof roll and replacing those sections with new rock, integrating hydrated lime, and using rollers to continue to attempt to further harden the track’s surface. This did not work and the remediated area did not improve and other areas began to show signs of wear from trucks delivering rocks. “This suggests paving the track in its current state would be impossible,” Kellett informed Superintendent Parker. “Over a full day of asphalt trucks, there is little chance the base would hold.” He also expressed his concerns over the long term durability of the track if they pave without first stabilizing the base.

Kellett informed the school in his professional opinion the only way forward is stabilization. The cost will match the cost shown in the company’s proposal of soil stabilization contingency in the original project bid of up to $20,000. The company proposes incorporating Portland cement into the track base using specialty equipment meant for that stabilization. “We will then regrade the track behind and can then pave the track,” Kellett wrote in his letter to the school district.

To do the work, the company will need to keep the road beside the track blocked off for that day and will need access to the fire hydrant for water refills as water is part of the stabilization process.

In his administrative report at the school board meeting, Parker said most of the drainage for the track project is either in the ground or the lines are dug in preparation to install the two drain catches when they are delivered. He said they were delivered to Vienna, Illinois.

The problem appeared when on the north end of the track as the company was grinding the old asphalt up and found 14 inches of asphalt. After consulting with the project engineer, Parker said he is recommending the board approve the soil stabilization contingency which was part of the original project bid for a case such as this. The school district’s cost will be the agreed upon $20,000. Byrne & Jones stated the company will stabilize the entire track for $20,000 even though it is estimated to cost three to four times that amount when they are done.

About the track, Parker said its been holding water but not holding compaction. Even after the company brought in more rock and the track had a day to dry out, and compaction is not as it should be. If the company were to put down the asphalt in the current condition, it would break up and be in poor shape within five to six years. Parker recommended the board approve stabilization for the entire track.

To do the work they use a grinder then spread cement powder mixed with water and continue to do that until the surface is hard enough.

School Board Vice President Penny Schoene consulted with Board President Vicki Bade who was not present at the meeting in the school library, but was monitoring the meeting as she was traveling. Bade, an engineer, said it may take more than one layer to stabilize the track surface. “It’s been a bathtub for years,” she commented. She thought it would cost more than $20,000 for the project.

Board member Mike Kleffner said the company representatives looked at the track and knew it was soft. Bade said she knows its a lot of money but she is in favor of spending the $20,000 to have the project done properly.

Kleffner said if it falls apart in five years they have defeated their purpose with the project. “We’re too far into it now. We have no choice but to do it.”

Parker said he’s confident this will take care of it. Schoene said they want it done right.

The original price of the track renovation project was $452,500. Some $23,000 was added for the javelin runway and now the $20,000 contingency ups the price tag to about $495,500.

In other news about the track project, a parent, Greg Andrews who works at Fairground Chevrolet in Rolla, asked about donating a bleacher section for the new track. They have worked with the project engineers to determine the amount of space available for bleachers. Parker said there is enough space for six aluminum, 15 feet bleacher sections with four rows on each section. He said they found bleachers that are the most economical for the school and are of good quality at a cost per bleacher section, including shipping, of $1,270.17 each. Parker said each bleached section weighs about 250 to 300 pounds and they will be able to move them when needed.

Parker said if there are other businesses interested in getting involved in making the new track even better with new bleachers by donating a section, contact Mr. Parker at the school. He told the board members there may be other people who want to help.

In other construction/renovation news at the Maries R-1 campus, Parker reported the band room is 98 percent complete. The old library located in a room just south of the gym is being converted into the band room. The construction project is complete except for one door, two windows and a water fountain. They are waiting on items needed which are on back order. Both units of the HVAC system are turned on and cooling the room very well. Still needed are the vents to install supply registers and a little return ductwork.