Photo courtesy of Hanceville Quarterback Club
We haven’t been able to host a track meet at Hanceville in at least 10 years because the track was falling apart and didn’t have enough lanes. We’re going to do everything we can to start hosting track events this year.”Hanceville High School Principal Jimmy Collins
HANCEVILLE – Hanceville High School’s brand new track was completed recently, and it has already made an impact on both the school and the community. Along with new lights and fresh paint in the stadium, the track gives the whole venue a newer feel.
Hanceville High received a $50,000 grant from the Cullman County Community Development Commission (CCCDC) in April to renovate the track to try and bring more money to both the school and the Hanceville area.
Principal Jimmy Collins is excited for the new addition to the stadium and what it means for his students and the community as a whole.
“We haven’t been able to host a track meet at Hanceville in at least 10 years because the track was falling apart and didn’t have enough lanes.” Collins said. “We’re going to do everything we can to start hosting track events this year.”
Now that the renovation of the track is complete, Collins is pleased with the new feel of the stadium. The track, combined with new lights and some other updates gives the stadium a whole new look.
“We took down the old lights and replaced them with new ones and repainted the bathrooms.” Collins said. “It definitely gives the stadium a newer look and feel.”
The football team was off for the Fourth of July but will likely be the first Hanceville sports team to use it this summer for conditioning. However, the school’s football and track teams won’t be the only ones taking advantage of the new track.
“It’ll be great for the cross country team and P.E classes to get to use it as well.” Collins said. “We also keep the track open for anyone in the community that wants to use it.”
The newest addition to the stadium is generating excitement for the Hanceville community and the plan is for more revenue to follow as the school starts hosting more events such as track meets.
Funding for CCCDC grants comes from taxes- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in lieu of taxes and beer taxes. The CCCDC normally caps grants at $12,000, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Board members said such extraordinary circumstances were met by the request from Hanceville High School, which had the recommendation of all members of Cullman’s legislative delegation- Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview; Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope and Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle.
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