Community-loved MFISD athletics facilities to receive improvements

A new track at Marble Falls Middle School’s Pony Stadium and resurfacing of the courts at the Charlie and Nancy Herrington Tennis Center at Marble Falls High School means those facilities won’t be available to the public for a few weeks.

The removal of the old track at MFMS, 1511 Pony Circle Drive, began April 4. Resurfacing at the tennis center is expected to be completed toward the end of April. Workers will fill in the cracks to the tennis courts, level the playing surfaces, and other important measures to protect the eight courts used by players throughout the region.

“The courts will have a significant facelift,” Dr. Chris Allen, Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent, said. “They’ll make sure they’re leveled. They’ll get a thorough resurface and releveling, and they’ll make sure everything is right. It’s a significant facelift.”

The projected reopening of the MFMS track is April 25. Allen noted this track is the one open for public use.

“It’s not quite at the same level of (high-quality surface) you see at the (Leonel Manzano Track at Mustang Stadium at Marble Falls) High School,” he said. “(That surface) stands up and is acceptable to host big-time track meets.”

Athletes who compete at meets at the Leonel Manzano Track can use their race results and times to qualify for state, regional and national track meets. The technology of the surface is similar to those found at the top high schools, colleges and university surfaces.

That’s not to say the track at Pony Stadium doesn’t play an important role to those who use it, Allen pointed out, adding he sees people early in the morning and late in the day getting their steps and exercise.

“It’s an exercise track for the community to take advantage,” he said. “People who walk and run it saw holes and divots in it that we had to get fixed.”

The cost is $224,600, which will come from money left from the 2018 bond, Allen said.

“It’ll take a month to do all the work if all the supplies are here,” the superintendent said.

While Marble Falls ISD officials acknowledged the work needs to be done because of the wear and tear by athletes and Mother Nature, Allen made it clear they also want to see the construction completed.

“It’s a way of honoring the work done before us,” he said.

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