"The
renovation allows the track to still have one of the widest radii in the
country, which is important for running fast times."
-Steve Dolan, Penn Coach.
 |
| 9 lanes, 6 "regulation" |
So I was misled about the refurbishment of the Penn Track that occurred over the Summer. Trust, but verify is the coin of the realm, I suppose.
Thanks to Owen Dawson for the heads up on this.
I was assured that the $3 Million construction would make the track eligible for both NCAA and USATF Championships. But that may not be the case. I was told that there would be the required 8 lanes of 400M running room. That is not the case. There will be six 400M lanes amid the total of nine lanes. The inside rail will still be between lanes 3 and 4.
There has been noticeable improvements and improved times are expected. There will be available space to run the 100M in either direction to take advantage of the winds. Jumping events will have better exposure also in either direction. The awkward steeple pit has been moved from the outside curve to an inside position. Finishing lines and starting lines for all events are improved.
Addendum: Also from a comment from Kelly O'Brien,
Tsk tsk!
I should have been a bit more clear on my June 23rd FB post. This is only stage 1 of construction. Moving the SC water pit shows the plans to host world etc sanctioned meets have been accepted. Penn is now working on the wall move vs. football game timing issue.
"Yeah babee...butt nekkid!
My sources find that there are plans to move the walls back 3-4 rows at least, flip the track, among much more. The facility submitted plans and started negotiations to obtain rights to host the ncaa championships on a recurring basis starting in early 20s. The facility should be fully restored by end of September to meet football needs.
It is also negotiating with usatf and other track orgs. The steeple pit location will tell you how the negotiations are going/went. The pics are unclear ss to its new location in relation to the original lanes 5-8.
(Someone needs to do some research and realize that the ncaa and other track orgs have been trying for decades to entice Penn to convert its track to host championships. The infrastructure and staff and all other resources have been deemed ideal and ANY meet short of the Olympic Athletics would be easily and safely accommodated.)"
Addendum II: Is a Diamond League Meet Possible?
Tsk tsk!
ReplyDeleteI should have been a bit more clear on my June 23rd FB post. This is only stage 1 of construction. Moving the SC water pit shows the plans to host world etc sanctioned meets have been accepted. Penn is now working on the wall move vs. football game timing issue.
"Yeah babee...butt nekkid!
My sources find that there are plans to move the walls back 3-4 rows at least, flip the track, among much more. The facility submitted plans and started negotiations to obtain rights to host the ncaa championships on a recurring basis starting in early 20s. The facility should be fully restored by end of September to meet football needs.
It is also negotiating with usatf and other track orgs. The steeple pit location will tell you how the negotiations are going/went. The pics are unclear ss to its new location in relation to the original lanes 5-8.
(Someone needs to do some research and realize that the ncaa and other track orgs have been trying for decades to entice Penn to convert its track to host championships. The infrastructure and staff and all other resources have been deemed ideal and ANY meet short of the Olympic Athletics would be easily and safely accommodated.)"
Thanks Kelly! I am elevating your comment into the text of the post itself. What is your source?
ReplyDeleteWell, the wall can't be moved back because the stadium is registered on the Federal Register of Historic Places. As such, the only thing that can be done to the exterior views of the structure is to preserve and maintain it. No structural changes can be made. Interior and infrastructure can be "modernized".
ReplyDeleteSo, that means that the outside 6 lanes are 400m. The inside 3 lanes are still short. Unless the NCAA or USATF changes its rules, a six lane track won't be an option for a championship meet. Both of those organizations have been known to change/bend the rules to best fit their own agenda. And with two Diamond League meets (Oregon and NYC) happening in the US, there's not much of a chance to get another one.
Oops! Got sidetracked.
ReplyDeleteMy sources are extremely well tied to the PRs. A very top guy and some volunteers and officials. I met the more-in-the-know directly and indirectly back in HS and college. Don't want to risk my chances of keeping in touch. Also, unfortunately my high school coach was a big wig at the PRs and even had his funeral on the track.
As to the Federal (National?) Register of Historic Places, Franklin Filed is not on the list, unless it just happened in last month. The historic district outside the stadium which includes statues and facades is on the list. Please provide any corrections so I can update and apologize.
Regardless, even if FF was on the list, it can be renovated and remodeled. In fact, moving the wall back would be a minor change under the regulations and likely need no review to maintain a status if it had it. That is especially so because it does not impact the main architecture of the facility. There are quite a few adjustments that would have pushed the envelope in the not too distant past. Any remodel of a severe nature could also past muster but it would need go through the process by the organization.
KKOB80