Work has started on the track surface at St. Patrick's Catholic High School.
The million dollar upgrades for the rubberized track were originally announced in June 2023.
The contractor, Playtek Enterprises, arrived on site on April 12.
Manager of Facility Services Tony Montanino said the first segment of work has been completed.
"They installed a pavement base material throughout, so that's a surfacing material that goes on top of the asphalt that was completed last fall," he said.
Next, the company will be doing the structural spray on the surface that has been applied.
Montanino said for many years the track has been a clay track, which has been a health and safety concern.
"It was a facility that we couldn't use for our elementary track and field meets, so now having it upgraded is going to provide our elementary panel an incredible facility to use for their annual track and field meet," he said. "It provides the secondary school with an incredible training facility and a track and field facility right there in their backyard."
He said that the track is not just for students.
"There's a beautiful walking pathway system that comes off the Howard Watson (trail) and it allows the community to come and use and walk this track too," Montanino said.
While the upgrades are being completed the community is being asked to avoid the area.
According to Montanino, it is gated off and there will be 24-hour security.
A fundraising campaign is underway to help offset the cost of the upgrades, and proceeds from the St. Clair District Catholic Education Foundation's upcoming 50/50 draw will go towards the project.
The goal is for the track to be completed by the middle of May and for students to be able to use it for track and field meets in June.