Work begins on x-country track

MIKE WEST photo A bulldozer begins to clear the path for the county's new cross-country track at Dillon Park.

By MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

Construction has begun on Cannon County's new cross-country track at Dillon Park.

"The city was gracious enough to let us put the track around Dillon Park and the Industrial Development Board allowed us to extend it along Stones River," said County Executive Mike Gannon.

Diane Hickman successfully applied for a Three-Star grant to fund the project. Mrs. Hickman said construction of the track will cost $9,480 with the grant paying for 100 percent of the project.

"It's costing the county nothing," Gannon said. "Ms Diane applied for the grant and got it."

Coaches Marc Lawson and Brian Elrod first approached the county about the grant with hopes for increasing the reach of the already successful cross-country program at the high school and elementary school level.

"By having the track, we can have actual cross-country events here in Woodbury," Mrs. Hickman explained. Similar meets at other Tennessee locations draw a major number of participants and observers. That's a good thing for local business, she said.

An added bonus of the facility is that it will be open to the general public, Mrs. Hickman added.

The cross-country track will be grass and will have a base much smoother than the normal park surface.