JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
In early January 2018, the Shellbank Fitness Center opened the newly repaired track for JBLE.
Due to the deterioration that occurred to the track, the surfacing was needing to be replaced. The new surface when fully completed in March 2018, will be level and free of holes.
“Over time the wear and tear on the track can make it uneven and unsafe,” said John Hickok, 633rd Force Support Squadron Shellbank Fitness Center director. “It’s the safety of the Airmen and anyone who uses the track that is important, and we wanted to make sure that everyone had an even ground to run on.”
While the old track was painted a rusty red color and made of compacted rubber pellets, the new track is a combination of rubber particles and Air Force blue paint that was sprayed down in multiple layers.
According to U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Kristie Kersch, 633rd Air Base Wing flight chief of the occupational safety office, even though the track should no longer have any holes, individuals should still look out for anything on the track that may be unsafe.
Before running, the 633rd Air Base Wing Safety Office recommends people to take one lap to walk around and look out for cracks, holes or other materials that individuals can trip on.
“Fitness is important and I encourage people to stay fit but there is always a level of safety that’s involved,” said Kersch. “You as the user are first line of defense to protect and prevent mishaps.”
While the track is open and safe to run on, it will not be completed until March 2018. The track is scheduled to have one final pellet coating sprayed and a final layer of paint.