The new track at Mount Greylock Regional School was recently completed, lines and all. The Mount Greylock Regional School Committee showed unanimous support for the project on November 17, 2022 at the meeting with the Track and Field Project Committee. The construction began in the spring of 2024, and is now ready to be used for the 2025 spring season.
In the past, there was never a need for a community track. Most residents would use the external track closest to them, usually the Williams College track in Williamstown or the Taconic High School Track in Pittsfield. In addition, the facilities provided by Williams College allowed track and field athletes to practice without the school having its own equipment. “We never originally pursued a track because Williams built the Steinbrenner [track] in 1987 and we were able to use it frequently,” said track and field coach Brian Gill. “This set us on a path of not seeing a need for our own because we could use Williams.” In recent years, however, Williams College programs have improved and become more competitive. As a result, it has become harder to find training and competition times for Mount Greylock that work with the Williams schedule.
In addition, the new Mount Greylock track makes things a lot easier for the track and field team and coaching staff. In the past, the team would not be able to train for some events on the grass track because it was often wet. Now, with the new track, student athletes can train without worrying about weather. “We practice every day, no matter the weather. There is always something we can do to get better – weight room, speed work in the gym, etc.,” said Gill. Gill added that the coaches are “so excited to not have to move all of our equipment – shots, discs, javs and starting blocks – every day back and forth from Williams.”
One of the major factors for the creation of the track was the large role it will have in students’ lives. The Mount Greylock track team boasts a large roster, which created the demand for the new track. The students played a big role in making this project happen. The track and field program is highly successful, and the coaches and leaders “invest in students’ lives and create a story of dedication, caring, improvement, and striving for excellence,” said Gill. The dedication and drive of everyone involved creates an outstanding team. “Winning as part of that is meaningless, but striving for excellence with every student has everything to do with it,” Gill added.
The brand new Mount Greylock track will be available for student and town use this spring. It is expected to have a large impact on the entire school community, not just the Mount Greylock track team. Additionally, its influence will reach beyond the school community, likely impacting many residents of the Mount Greylock School District, and Berkshire county as a whole.
