Local coach pushing for region to get new track facilities to host competitions

The kids in Waterloo Region need a new track facility, according to a local coach.

Assistant Coach in middle distance for the Laurel Creek Track & Field Club, James Porto, was on The Mike Farwell Show on Tuesday and said most local tracks are deteriorating or overgrown.

He wants the region to look into a new facility that would meet national and provincial standards.

“It’s frustrating to see that we just don’t have any facilities around to let children do that, to go play. Some of the schools have built some tracks and they are deteriorating pretty badly.”

Porto said as one of Canada’s largest municipalities, the region should have a proper track and field facility.

“It’s one of those things that’s accessible to all children. You don’t make cuts in track and field; everybody gets to go. Even if you have a disability you’re welcome to come and play,” said Porto.

Porto said track and field events are a great way to get kids to meet other people who they normally wouldn’t get the chance to speak with, while immersing themselves in new activities that often prep them for future sports.

He added that the region doesn’t have many facilities to speak of.

“We do have like Jacob Hespeler (Secondary School) is probably our best venue around and its kind of on its last leg. Theres no real javelin runway to speak of, the long jump pits aren’t long enough to long jump. You have to throw onto a soccer field for shotput and discus. And that’s the best we got.”

Porto said they fight for track space and because of it, they don’t get as much participation as they should.

A track facility that meets proper standards so they can run a sanctioned meet or host competitions would benefit the region, said Porto, by bringing more tourism money in.

“When they build the track they actually check with track and field coaches to say what do we need to actually run an athletics Ontario, athletics Canada or world athletics meet so we can bring people in.”