The Pierce Faculty cross-country course in Woodland Hills, utilized by 1000’s of runners because the Sixties, has been closed and might be unavailable to host the Metropolis Part finals and different highschool meets this fall.
At a gathering final week attended by officers from the Metropolis Part and West Valley Eagles youth group, Pierce Faculty officers knowledgeable them {that a} new grass soccer subject might be constructed within the space the place races have beforehand began and likewise was used as a warm-up space for runners.
Officers additionally advised Jack Dawson of the Eagles and Metropolis Part commissioner Vicky Lagos they might revamp the entire course. They’ve already smoothed out path areas on the hilly course and glued fencing.
A water truck and development supplies have been seen within the space of the flat floor on Wednesday. Few individuals have been made conscious a soccer subject could be constructed on a a lot beloved space utilized by runners. The varsity has a males’s and girls’s soccer staff. A college safety officer mentioned he was unaware of the plans, and he could be instantly affected since safety is employed weekly at any time when a highschool meet is held.
Dawson mentioned, “The course is going to be beautiful. It’s, how are we going to use it?”
A brand new start line should be created if the course goes for use for racing.
Dawson and Lagos mentioned they have been knowledgeable that there could be no permits issued this 12 months for the course. Excessive faculties that beforehand used the course are scrambling to search out options.
Monroe coach Leo Hernandez mentioned his league is investigating utilizing Woodley Park within the Sepulveda Basin as a attainable substitute. Birmingham Excessive as soon as arrange a course on its campus when Pierce Faculty was unavailable due to heavy rains and might be utilized by the Metropolis Part for the finals.
Pierce Faculty can be getting used as a web site to soak up massive animals for wildfires, so creating one other course on campus this 12 months is unlikely contemplating the uncertainty of the climate this fall.
