MATTAPOISETT — Runners and walkers will need to find a new place to get their steps in this spring as the Old Rochester Regional High School track will be closed while it is being resurfaced. 

Track resurfacing work will begin on Monday, April 3, at which time the track will close to all school-based activities, athletics and the public. Currently, work is expected to be completed and the track to reopen on June 19.

While the track is closed, Old Rochester Regional track and field teams will practice at neighboring school districts' facilities and their competition schedule will be an "away" schedule for the full spring season.

The current track is beyond its life expectancy, and as a result, has begun to crack and deteriorate, leading to unsafe conditions for student-athletes and community members using the track, said the Old Rochester Regional School District in a press release. The resurfacing project will allow the district to update and revive the track for safe student and public use.

"The resurfacing project will greatly improve conditions and safety for everyone who uses it for years to come, and we look forward completing the work and reopening the track," said Old Rochester Facilities Director Gene Jones.

The project was approved in the spring of 2022 and capital funding for the resurfacing work was included in the FY23 Operating Budget for the Old Rochester Regional School District. The district solicited bids to resurface the track in November 2022, and a contract was awarded to Cape and Islands Tennis and Track, of Bourne, in December. In preparation for the project, the district met with the contractor earlier this month to discuss project logistics and minimizing campus disruption.

"We would like to express our appreciation to the area school districts who are allowing our student-athletes to use their track facilities this spring," said Old Rochester Athletic Director Bill Tilden. "With their partnerships, we will be able to limit disruption to the season for our track and field teams."

Added Old Rochester Superintendent Mike Nelson, "we thank everyone who has supported and contributed to this project over the past year, including our community members, school committee and town officials who recognized the project's importance and approved the necessary funding as part of the FY23 Operating Budget."