City Council members on Wednesday joined Danville Public Schools and Averett University leaders and students in an opening ceremony for the new NCAA certified track and field facility at George Washington High School. The ceremony included a presentation, ribbon cutting, and ceremonial “first run” around the track.
The facility, for which construction began in March 2022, holds an eight-lane, NCAA certified synthetic track, along with field event spaces for long jump, pole vault, steeplechase, javelin, shot put, high jump, and hammer/discus.
The nearly $4 million track facility is part of a larger $81 million renovation currently underway at GW.
The opening of the track facility marks the end of a more than 20-year period in which GW and Galileo Magnet High School could not host track meets due to the lack of adequate facilities.
“We’re looking forward to this athletic venue not only being the showpiece for this city, but for this region and this state,” GW Principal Reyhan Deskins said.
“This is what our athletes and coaches deserve, and I’m so honored and proud to be a part of an amazing group of board members and community members to make this happen for our amazing student athletes,” Danville School Board Chair Ty’Quan Graves said.
The new track will be used by GW and Galileo runners, as well as Averett University. Danville Public Schools has partnered with Averett for use of the track, which has allowed for the addition of collegiate track programs in the city. The Averett University track and field indoor and outdoor programs had their inaugural seasons in the 2022-2023 year.
“Today, we celebrate our dreams becoming a reality not just for Averett, not just for the Danville Public Schools, but for the entire community,” Averett University President Dr. Tiffany Franks said. “We’re creating another point of destination for our region.”
Funding for the track facility was made available in part by City Council, which earmarked funds to go toward the track facility.
“One of our priorities [for the city] is education,” Vice Mayor Dr. Gary Miller said. “It’s not just mental education, it’s physical education.”
The track is just the first in several improvements to the school’s athletic campus. Other renovations to follow include the football stadium and fieldhouse, as well as a new press box.
“This is an amazing opportunity for our community,” School Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston said. “While the whole venue is not complete, we want you to understand the quality of work we expect.”
GW held its first home track meet yesterday, and it will host the Piedmont District track meet on May 17 and the Region 4D track meet on May 23.