Maupin Opening a New World Class Athletics Complex, 'The DRAC'
By Xavier Orion Olaez
We’re about to have a world-class athletic complex near us. That’s unheard of for a place like the Columbia Gorge. The Maupin Deschutes River Athletic Complex is being built right now. World-class athletes like Usain Bolt could go and set records at this track when finished.
Why Maupin?
It’s the weather is one solid answer.
Maupin is located on a shelf below the rimrock along the Deschutes River Canyon. In the rain-shadow of Mt Hood, the climate allows for over 300 days of sunshine each year at an elevation below 1000 feet. The result is moderate weather and springtime sunshine when much of the state is experiencing rain. It’s about 42 minutes from The Dalles and an hour from Hood River. It's a small town with a population of 508 in 2019. This isn’t the only big project they have going on at the moment.
Contractors are making much headway on the sports complex. Kirby Nagelhout out of Bend is the general contractor for the job and has subcontracted with James Dean Construction in the gorge to do the excavation work on the field.
The work was in full swing on Wednesday, Aug. 4, as a bulldozer, loader, dump truck and excavator worked on moving earth and leveling the site.
The hope is to have the field curbed and hydro-seeded this fall and the final application of rubber to the track is expected to happen in the spring.
Also from the website “ K-12 PE curriculum and local teams will get a boost by having an all-weather facility. For the first time, track and field athletes will get the opportunity to perform for a home audience for regular-season meets and for District and other events. The football field will be aligned with the viewing stands.”
DRAC will provide a safe and level walking, jogging, and running facility that will contribute to community fitness and well-being.
Simply by hosting a high school meet, restaurants, the local market, and other businesses will benefit from a crowd coming to Maupin during part of the shoulder season away from our busy summers.
The track will be built with 8 lanes and an inside rail, qualifying it for international time trials. Working with Portland Track and Sports Oregon leading up to the Oregon21 World Track and Field Championships, DRAC could host “pop-up” events during the spring and fall when finding a dry facility in Oregon may be a challenge.
The facility site also includes a magnificent view of the Wild and Scenic Deschutes River, making it great for an outdoor concert or a sports camp opportunity.
The project involves leveling of the land to allow for the creation of a track and field facility as well as a football field that overlooks the Wild and Scenic Deschutes River on the SWC School District’s campus.
The complex will include field event facilities, football field, and related spectator facilities that will accommodate a wide range of uses with opportunities for significant local impacts.
Holly Miles goes to South Wasco County High School and does Track and Field. Since eighth grade she’s had to practice on cinder which is terrible. She wondered why they couldn’t build a track. They have a great spot for it so why not do it? She’s a big supporter and is super excited to use the complex
A very exciting opportunity for the Gorge and the town of Maupin.
The new track is just one in a series of upgrades occurring in the community.
According to the city website, “We recently completed a $2 million fiber-to-the-door project as a public-private partnership and a $2.5 million Civic Center housing the regional library, City Hall, and public meeting space. Groundbreaking is also scheduled for a new medical clinic. Maupin accomplishes these through citizen involvement and support as well as investments from the State of Oregon, Wasco County, private foundations, and many other sources.”
