By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News

The major grant-funded resurfacing of the nearly 55-year-old running and walking track at La Conner Schools’ Whittaker Field comes with a cost.

It’s a fairly minor one, though, measured in temporary inconvenience rather than dollars and cents.

The track, a community asset used by the public as well as La Conner staff and students, will be closed from June 15 to late July, according to school district officials.

“To ensure the safety of contractors and the public,” the La Conner Schools administration said in a statement released June 11, “the track and surrounding work area will be closed throughout the duration of the project.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of July, district officials have said. The track will receive a new navy blue polyurethane coating, La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram told district board members in April.

Community members are being asked to avoid entering the area until the resurfacing work is complete and the facility has reopened.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as these improvements are made to enhance the track for students and community users alike,” the district statement said.

Updates on the track resurfacing project will be made available on the La Conner Schools website, said district attendance and community engagement specialist Megan Boyer.

The work comes on the heels of the La Conner High School girls’ track and field team winning the Washington State 2B Championship in Yakima last month.

Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.