Asheville Reporter

In the coming days, the contractor working at Memorial Stadium will be pouring a rubberized top layer on the track, which will require up to six weeks to fully cure. Use of the track while the rubber finish is curing will cause considerable damage and delay the overall project.

As the construction project at Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park nears completion, community members are eager to use the new facilities. Reports indicate individuals walking, jogging, riding bicycles, or playing in this construction area. It is unsafe to enter an active construction zone. Additionally, using a facility that is not yet ready for public use can create costs and delays for the project.

“Being in a work zone without proper safety equipment and a thorough knowledge of the hazards is dangerous,” says Capital Management Director Jade Dundas. “The community’s enthusiasm about using the new facilities is appreciated. We, too, are excited and are working diligently to reopen this community asset to the public. Thank you for adhering to the signs and staying out of restricted areas around the work sites.”

Here are some general safety tips:

- Don’t walk, jog, or ride bikes in construction zones.

- Find an alternative route if a construction zone temporarily affects your path.

- Don’t play on or near construction equipment.

- Obey posted warnings and never go beyond construction fences, caution tape, barriers or barrels.

- Be cautious around heavy equipment; if you can’t see the driver, they can’t see you.

The Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park project, including the six-lane track, is close to completion. Stay tuned for announcements about its reopening to the public.