Glendale Community College’s track and field getting a major upgrade

The track and field at Glendale Community College will undergo a major upgrade beginning next month when crews are expected to begin installing a new track and artificial-turf field, an improvement the college’s board of trustees unanimously approved last week.

College trustees agreed to spend $940,477 to replace the track and field, which were last upgraded in 2005.

Glendale Community College Trustee President Tony Tartaglia said the new field is a necessity for the students.

“It has been a fabulous facility, but it has shown wear and tear,” he said.

College officials originally set out to replace only the track, and officials from one company said they would do it for about $800,000.

Then representatives from FieldTurf USA, Inc., told college officials their company would install both the track and the artificial turf field for less than $950,000.

Ron Nakasone, vice president of administrative services, said he initially questioned the quality of FieldTurf USA’s product, so he and other college officials spoke with college coaches and physical-education instructors, who confirmed it would be a good move.

They pointed to other campuses with the same product. “They said, ‘this is a good product,’” Nakasone said. “I’m thinking this is a good deal.”

The college will pay for the track-and-field project with instructional equipment funds.

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan