Taconic graduate Kailynne Errichetto helps in cutting the ribbon to open the new track at the high school. She'd done her senior civics project on the condition of the old track.

The Taconic coaches cut gold and green ribbons; PHS the school's purple and white.

The project included upgrades to other track and field components.

And the practice football field in the center got new goalposts.

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Improper drainage had been a serious concern of the old track and the school could not hold track meets there.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Taconic High School track is officially open for the community and Pittsfield High and Taconic athletes.

On Thursday morning, track coaches from both high schools got to cut ribbons with their respective school colors to symbolize the opening of the new track.

"This is amazing. It's beautiful. It finishes our campus. We were so fortunate that Pittsfield is invested not only in Taconic, but in this whole site. So, this was one of the last things we were looking at to upgrade," said Taconic Principal Matthew Bishop, who's been filling in as deputy superintendent.

"We're so thankful. Pittsfield Public Schools will have over 100 athletes up here in the spring, practicing every day. So this is certainly not going to sit idle."

Mayor Peter Marchetti said how important the new track is for the community.

"I know many in our community, who are not in school, utilize this track for exercise including walking, running and other fitness activities," the mayor. "I am happy to report that beginning today, the track will be open for both school and community use. We remind our residents to follow the track rules so we can protect this investment for everyone’s use in the years and decades ahead."

The rules for the track are no pets, no skateboarding, rollerblading, or biking allowed. You can only wear running shoes, cross-trainers, tennis shoes, and 1/8-inch pyramid spikes.

The track cost $1.7 million in total with design and construction.

"The city got to work to put the necessary funding together to move this project forward. The city contributed $1.4 million in capital funds and $400,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act," Marchetti said.

The track closed back in September of last year to start the renovations.

Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Program Manager James McGrath said the track will be great for people of all ages.

"It's an exciting day as we come together to celebrate the opening of this newly rehabilitated walking and running track, a space designed for health, recreation and connection," he said.

"This track represents more than just a new and improved path. It's a testament to our commitment to wellness, to creating opportunities for movement and togetherness and to supporting every individual, whether you're a student athlete, a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or someone just starting your journey to healthier habits."

The rubberized track has upgrades including better drainage (water was pooling on the old track) and bleachers, and reorganized areas for events.

"There's new drainage that's been incorporated along the edge, which is really critically important. We were seeing the effects of poor drainage on the previous track. So drainage has all been corrected," said McGrath. "We've reorganized some of the field events we have on the north side of the track. We have a double shot put area on the south side of the track, we have a double jump pit area, and we've relocated the discus cage to the south end of the facility as well.

"We have new bleachers for fans and spectators and new goal posts for football, because football will continue to be here on this field for practice, not for game play, but for practices."

The project was brought up by Kailynne Errichetto during her junior year of high school in 2023.

"I started to get involved in this entire process when I was a junior in AP history, when my teacher, coach Paul Phelps, assigned me with a civics project. As an upcoming senior on the track team, I knew I needed to do my project based on the conditions of the track," she said. "When I was presenting my slideshow in class, coach Phelps asked, 'what could you do to deeper connect with this together?' Coach and I decided I should get in contact with someone in the city and Parks Department."

Errichetto reached out to McGrath and spoke to City Council on its importance. She also helped raise $1,100 in funds for the track through dine-and-donates.

As a track athlete herself, she wanted a great track for her and her teammates to compete and practice on.

"I really just knew that we needed something, and myself and my fellow teammates needed the the best of the best, to reach our full potential," she said.

Errichetto says she can't wait for everyone to be able to compete on it.

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