I don't want this to turn into a govt is bloated argument. I just want to know how this could cost so much.I just read the press release and was wondering how can an indoor 200 meter track cost $1 million. That's absurd. I thought it cost about $300,000 to re-surface an outdoor track.Is it because it's Mondo? Because it's NYC and everything is way more? That's absurd.
Press release says:
Armory Foundation Receives More Than $1 Million
From NYC Council for New Track Surface
Council Member Robert Jackson (left) of District 7 presents the $1.168 million check to Armory Foundation Executive Director Dr. Norb Sander. Armory College Prep students were on hand for Thursday morning's presentation at the Armory. Photo by Nick Nicholas
New York, July 18, 2013 -The Armory Foundation received $1.168 million in funding Thursday for a new running surface from the New York City Council with critical help from Council Member Robert Jackson who advocated on behalf of the Armory.
Jackson's advocacy for this funding was supported by Council Members Maria del Carmen Arroyo and Ydanis Rodriguez, the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, Manhattan Delegation led by Council Members Gale Brewer and Daniel Grodnick and City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.
``The Armory Foundation is greatly indebted to the leadership of Council Member Robert Jackson in securing the track for our student-athletes,'' said Dr. Norb Sander, Executive Director of the Armory Foundation. ``He's been a wonderful supporter of the Armory and its mission during all of his years he's served on the New York City Council.''
Jackson presented the check today to Dr. Sander and before students who participate in the Armory College Prep Program. During the upcoming 2013-14 indoor season the Armory will host more than 100 track & field events including the 107th Millrose Games in February.
``Over the last 20 years, Dr. Norb Sander and his staff have been instrumental in making the Armory not only one of the top track & field facilities in the world, but also a beacon of hope for thousands of student-athletes with the Armory Prep Program,'' Council Member Robert Jackson of District 7 said. ``As a great advocate and supporter of the Armory, I am glad that my colleagues are in line with the Armory's vision by providing financial support that will keep this facility in tip-top shape."
The Armory again will have a Mondo surface, the same one used in Moscow during the upcoming World Championships and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. During the 106th Millrose Games in February more than 60 records were established.
Work on the new track and shot put and throwing area is expected to be completed in time for the 2013-2014 indoor track season which begins December 1 with the PSAL Pilgrim Games.
"The City Council is proud to support a new and improved track surface for New York City's student-athletes,'' said Speaker Christine Quinn. ``For over 20 years, the Armory Foundation has served as an invaluable resource for New York City's youth. I thank the Armory Foundation for their continued work to provide sports and educational programming to the community, and look forward to celebrating the new track's inaugural race at the 2013 PSAL Pilgrim Games."
Added Dr. Sander: ``We have over three million usages of the track over the last five years. It wears out. It's the busiest indoor track in the world.''
For more on the Armory please go to
www.armorytrack.comand
www.armoryonthehudson.org.
About the Armory Foundation:
The Armory is a New York City non-profit institution which each season hosts over 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 125,000 individual athletes. The Armory is the proud home of the Millrose Games. Besides its many youth sports and educational programs, the Armory runs the Hispanic Games, the New Balance Games, New Balance Nationals Indoors and the Armory Collegiate Invitational, the largest indoor college meet in the United States. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame.
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