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Austin, TX (July 12, 2017) –
Troy University in Alabama is making track renovation a priority this summer, selecting Hellas Construction to install a new track in its Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Complex. Troy University is a NCAA Division One university, part of the Sun Belt Conference and typically sends athletes to compete at the national level every year.
Marc Davis Director of Track and Field for Troy University said, “When I came here three years ago I said that renovating the complex was definitely a priority. The complex was in need of work years before I came, but they were unable to get it passed in the budget. The university is now taking action to get the track back in shape. It has been a three-year process and I am thankful it’s happening now.”
They selected Hellas’ epiQ Tracks® Z5000 track system, a 15mm full pour system for its eight-lane, 400-meter track and field events. The Z5000 track system is IAAF approved and offers an all-encompassing superiority of cushion, control, energy return, and performance, perfect for major high-traffic stadiums and arenas.
“This should open doors for more hosting opportunities for the university. We are the only competition track within a 45 minute to a one-hour radius. The local high school uses our track for their competitions too,” Davis said.
The university has been losing out on income opportunities, due to the track not being competition ready. They are unable to host events because of the worsening of the condition of the track. Davis said the track has been patched in different areas and has bubbles on parts of the track.
“Right now, the whole area is losing out. The track is in need of so much work, we don’t want to host anything and put any athlete’s safety in jeopardy,” Davis said. “We use some of it for training right now, but we are only able to use one side of the runway,” he said.
Davis said, “This will open lots of doors that haven’t been available to us in a couple of years. It will open up a whole new world for us. We will be able to host meets here instead of having to travel for every meet. We can host camps to bring in athletes, which will help with recruiting for our program. We can bring back some of the events we used to host.”
The Colley facility at Troy University used to host many events including Coach O Invitational, Special Olympics, Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Championships, and the U.S. Junior National State Championships.
“This is going to improve our program and what we as a university have to offer. Our team is getting better every year and it will be great for the kids that have been here so long and suffered because of the condition of the track to finally have the facilities they deserve,” Davis said.
Hellas has installed the epiQ Track Z5000 track system at various universities such as Florida A&M, Arkansas State University, Angelo State University, and at Prairie View A&M,where Olympic Athletes were able to practice before attending the Rio 2016 Olympics.
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