We, the undersigned, residents of Danbury, Connecticut ask Members of the City Council for their full support in the replacement of the Danbury High School track. It is our understanding that the capital budget proposal includes two-million dollars allocated for this purpose and we are asking that you approve this request in its entirety.

It is unfortunate that the track was not replaced sooner and was allowed to deteriorate to the point that it is no longer usable. The deteriorating conditions of the track were brought to the City Council more than 4 years ago. As a result, the Athletic Department and School Administration have been forced to cancel our home track meets this year at Danbury High School due to the risk of injury to our student athletes. Unfortunately, that means that the O’Grady relays a 39-year tradition and the boys and girls home track conference meets will need to be held at other schools. This is a loss of revenue for the school athletic program as well as a tremendous disappointment for our senior athletes who have worked so hard for 4-years to not compete at their home venue. In addition, the high school track is used by a variety of outside community organizations such as the Special Olympics and the Middle School track programs which also may need to find an alternate location for their programs.

We realize there is nothing that can be done for this year, but we ask that you fully support the funding of this project and commit to having the work begin immediately after graduation. If this project does not begin in June, we risk the chance that it will not be available for next year’s season and will potentially impact the use of this area by other sports that use the infield area. Please make this a priority and begin the necessary planning work with the High School Administration so that this project can start on time and be completed so that there is minimal impact to the next school year.