De Anza College’s damaged running track and football field will close in late February  for renovations that will cost an estimated $6 million.

The new sports complex designed by Verde Design Inc. will include a nine-lane track, an artificial turf field for football and soccer, an area with real grass for throwing events like javelin and shot put, and new pole vault, long jump and other installations.

“It’s a huge project,” said dean of physical education Rich Schroeder, “We are moving the whole field about 70 feet to the north. We will have a new track and football field, bleachers on the west side and a new press box and scoreboard.”

De Anza has not been allowed to hold meets on its track for the past eight years due to its poor condition. Because Foothill does not have adequate facilities either, long distance travel has been an issue for the track and field team, something that has hurt recruitment. Track and field coach Nick Mattis said he hopes the new facilities will help.

“There should be an improvement in recruiting. It’s hard to get a kid to come here when they see this,” he said, referring to the track. “It’s hard to tell a kid they’re not going to have any home meets.”

Problems with the current track include uneven areas, holes, distances marked in yards instead of the standard meters and lack of grip. The track is also unusually narrow, causing it to have sharp turns which slow runners down. Mattis said athletes have suffered stress fractures, shin splints, rolled ankles and pulled groins due to track conditions.

De Anza athletic trainer Shannon Bracy said, “I look forward to the renovation because then at least we won’t have those issues [the injuries] to deal with.”

Mattis said that having a field dedicated to throwing events like shotput and discus will improve performance by allowing athletes to train year-round. Throwers currently use the football field, which is unavailable in the fall during football season.

The football field currently has issues with unevenness, playability in the rain and bare spots.

“By the end of the season, there would be no grass to play on,” said former De Anza football player Grant Padia.

The Foothill-De Anza board of trustees has been talking about having a multi-purpose and all-weather field built for several years.

“We’ve been waiting patiently,” football head coach Dan Atencio said.

Lights will not be added at this time because of cost concerns. The project will be funded by Measure C. It is possible construction will be done by the start of football season in thefall, but  it may not be completed until October. Atencio said the worst-case scenario would be the football team playing its first couple home games at Foothill.

“We’re very excited … have you seen the field now, and what they’re gonna do to it? It’s gonna look amazing!” said 19-year-old football player Josh McCain.

Football coach Jeff Paull, in his third year at De Anza, said, “These guys work hard, they deserve it.” 

De Anza hopes to rent out the new facility for high school and public uses. While the field is closed during renovations, PE classes will be held on the neighboring soccer field and athletic teams will play games at Foothill.

POCKMARKED – The north end turn of De Anza’s current track is marked with holes. (Photo by Brenda Norrie)