Work To Breathe New Life Into Sac State's Track

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Years of use and abuse has run Sacramento State University's track ragged. But, workers were out Monday to breathe new life into the track – just in time for the U.S. Track and Field Championship.

"It's pretty extensive … I'll work my way from the inside out," Ryan Rodder said while sanding the old track down.

Rodder is from the company Mondo, who are installing Sac State's new track.

"And after I'm done sanding it we're going to cut some loose areas," Rodder said.

The track was originally created for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Track & Field trials. Its new facelift will cost $1.4 million.

"It is like getting a new car," said Kathleen Raske, Director of Sac State Track & Field.

The new surface will be finished on both the warm up and main track in time for the 2014 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. The late-June event is expected to be a big boost to the local economy.

"It brings in great business [to] our hotels and restaurants. We still have the attendance record for any U.S. Olympic trials held on U.S. soil, so this has been a great track city – 'Track Capitol USA,' we like to say," Raske said.

The Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Sacramento Sports Commission are paying for the upgraded tracks.