A 50/50 raffle is underway to help pay for the new track at St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Sarnia.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) recently launched the fundraiser in collaboration with Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence (CSC Providence).
Planned upgrades include a new track and field facility and an interior soccer field. However, it's hoped the field will act as a site for different sporting activities.
As previously announced, the project was expected to cost just over $1 million.
SCCDSB Manager of Facilities Services Tony Montanino said they're hoping to raise $435,000 to pay for the track's resurfacing.
"The board of trustees for our school board approved $435,000 for the resurfacing and that money that's actually paying for that today is renewal funds that go towards operating our schools," he said. "So if we're able to be successful with the fundraising goal, that allows us to use that money within our schools."
Montanino said the resurfaced track will provide more of a cushion for runners.
"The synthetic track surface that's being applied is about 0.5-inch and it almost forms like a rubber. Our board originally had a Mondo track surface which was sheet flooring, so it was rolls of rubber that were adhered to the asphalt," he said. "This is an actual applied [surface]. So they actually mixed the product on site and then it's applied with a screed and then over top of the rubber surface that's applied, they apply a synthetic colouring that actually brought it to the green colour in that finished product."
On-site work began in early April and the goal is for students to be able to use the track for meets in June.
Aside from the students at St. Pat's and CSC Providence, Montanino said community members will be welcome to use the track as well.
Raffle tickets can be purchased online until June 20 at 11:59 p.m. Ticket prices range from three for $5 to 150 for $50.
An early bird prize of $100 will be drawn on May 17 at 1 p.m., for tickets purchased by May 16 at 11:59 p.m.
The final draw will be held on June 21 at 11 a.m. The grand prize winner will be contacted to claim their prize.