By Phoenix journalist Sean Ronan ’20
During the summer of 2018, in preparation for the new school year, Kellenberg Memorial High School’s track and locker rooms underwent significant renovations under the directions of Mr. John Fechtmann, the Kellenberg’s Athletic Director and Mr. Furlong, the Construction Supervisor.
Kellenberg’s new track features a beautiful blue running surface.
After seven weeks the 22-year-old track was replaced by a new all-weather track, made of a blue, half-inch, thick rubber. For several months, the new surface will undergo a process called ambering, by which the sun’s ultraviolet rays temporarily discolor it, but it will eventually balance out to become a lighter blue.
“The track has a smoother, safer, and more forgiving surface. The old track served its time, but needed to go the to great beyond bin of memory and times past of many a great developed Firebird runner,” commented Mr. Brown, the Lady Firebirds Track and Field team coach. The blemished aid weathered track proved far too dangerous for young runners to stay on their feet.
Mr. Moncada, who coaches the Girls Track and Field team, hopes that the new track “will resemble the crashing waves of passion that our athletes have.”
Simultaneously, at least ten workers and multiple students carefully reconstructed the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. The Blendex Company installed a new epoxy blue floor in the girls’ locker room, replacing the old carpet flooring, and the walls were covered with stucco. Student workers assisted with carpentry and with the installation of new blue and gold lockers, replacing the old ones which had been there since 1966.
To compensate for the rising number of students, 100 more lockers than were previously in the locker rooms were installed.
Additionally, the lighting was improved. The new locker rooms also feature shower fixtures and Corian shower partitions which are resistant to bacteria and germs. A new coaches’ office was constructed in the girls’ locker room too. Mr. Fechtmann said that the renovations make the locker rooms “sanitary, easy to clean, and pre- vent the spread of germs.” One student complimented the upgrades, comparing the new rooms to those that would be seen in a prestigious college.
Mr. Fechtmann also gave insight to Kellenberg Memorial High School’s future plans are in order to improve the athletic facilities in the form of new tennis courts on St. Charles field and an athletic center on Mark Field. News on these developments will be sure to come in Phoenix Sports throughout the year.
