The yellow buses in the parking lot of the Wilson School came from everywhere — Sylvan-Lucas, Chase-Raymond, Central Plains ... Beyond the school, in the area reserved for spring field and track events, dozens of junior high school students prepared for competition. Prior to the start, Scott Grauer of Wilson Communications welcomed everyone to Wilson. “We hope this is the first of many to come,” he said of the meet. Then, surrounded by cheering Wilson students, Grauer gave the order to “Let the games begin.” Wednesday, April 10, 2019. This was the first time in 22 years an event like this had come to Wilson. “This is the way I remember track meets,” said a parent as spectators watched the action on the field. Not too long ago, the field was unusable. The long-running Wilson Invitational was taken to Ellsworth and later Russell, thus robbing Wilson residents of seeing their students compete at home. It also cut down on opportunities for out-oftowners to visit local businesses. That’s when Grauer and Wilson Communications become involved. Several representatives were on hand for the dedication. As were others. “Citizens and students were excited to have the track meet back,” said Mary Zorn, who works for Wilson Communications and had devoted many hours to the track project. “We did have a few contributors who were able to join us for the dedication ceremony.”

Phase I, which was completed this past summer, included surface for the triple jump, long jump, high jump run and high jump pad areas with Trac Mat permeable black polyurethane.

In all, field and track supporters raised more than $31,500. Central Plains USD 112 provided another $25,384 to pay for the removal and construction of the field event area concrete. Local foundations also contributed.

Students and faculty at Wilson School also did their parts. An early fund raising effort was a bierock sale in March 2016. Supporters made more than 38 dozen bierocks and raised more than $1,100. A raffle and brick sale also were part of the mix, along with student help in pouring sand and other jobs.

Still to be done is the track itself. Phase 2 will replace the current gravel track with a new six-lane, 400m running track in line with Kansas State High School Activities Association standards.

The surface prevents Wilson from having high school track meets now. The Wilson Invitational for area high school teams started this week at Russell.

Nor does the Wilson track lend itself to community use, a side benefit organizers hope for down the road. The current track is at the mercy of the weather.

Money, as with most projects, also is an issue. Grauer sets the estimated cost of the new track at $250,000.

That means completion of Phase 1 will have to be enough. At least for now.