Ohio University should include an Olympic-sized, eight-lane, indoor track in the multipurpose center.
With the new money to be used for infrastructure improvements on the Athens campus, the president and Board of Trustees have obvious options — like a track — for existing plans that deserve upgrades.
At a 2011 meeting, ideas were considered that would save outdoor and aesthetic enhancements for the multipurpose center until after the completion of the interior infrastructure. Investing in the interior of the facility will save the university much time and money in the future.
Of the millions of dollars received by Ohio University from the state to be used on infrastructure improvements, some of it should be spent on the interior of the multipurpose center.
To date, Ohio University lacks an indoor, eight-lane track that other universities across the nation possess. An indoor track will make an ideal location for practices and competitions throughout the year.
The cutting of men’s individual sports programs and a women’s team program have diverted much of their funding to other activities.
Our university has facilitated individual Olympic sports — or athletics — for much of its existence. The university ought to enable its individual men’s and women’s sports teams by enhancing the design of the multipurpose center with an indoor, eight-lane track.
Christopher Myers is a senior studying philosophy.
