Taichung Junior High School Sports Field to Get $8 Million Renovation

The sports field at Shenzuen Junior High School in Taichung, Taiwan, is set to receive a significant upgrade, with nearly 8 million NTD allocated for its renovation. The aging facility, over 20 years old, has suffered from years of sun exposure and root intrusion, leading to cracked, uneven, and waterlogged running tracks. These issues have not only disrupted physical education classes and athletic training but also posed a safety risk to students, staff, and community members who use the field.

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The school's 200-meter PP artificial turf track and long jump field have undergone more than 20 years of high-intensity use, resulting in hardened turf, cracked and peeling pavement, and unevenness in some areas due to ground subsidence and root intrusion, causing deformation. Heavy rain exacerbates water accumulation, not only affecting physical education classes and track and field training but also increasing the risk of student injuries.

Legislator Yang Tsung-hsing and city councilor Luo Yung-chen successfully secured funding for the project, with the central government's Ministry of Education subsidizing close to 70% of the total cost, amounting to approximately 5.57 million NTD. The renovation will involve a complete overhaul, including the removal of the existing track and base layer, followed by the installation of a new 4-centimeter asphalt concrete layer and a 13-millimeter fully dense PU track surface. The straight section of the track will be extended by 6 meters, and the long jump runway will be lengthened by 7.5 meters.

Beyond the track itself, the project includes updating the long jump pit with world athletics-certified equipment, including a new starting board, quartz sand, and a windproof cover. Significant improvements to drainage and root prevention are also planned, with the installation of a 198.7-meter linear drainage channel cover and an 86-meter RC root barrier wall to address long-standing issues. Additionally, the field's grass will be leveled, the irrigation system repaired, and any hazardous trees removed. These comprehensive upgrades are expected to take 120 days to complete, transforming the field into a safe and modern sports space.

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She immediately actively sought subsidies from the Ministry of Education's National Academy of Educational Research. The total funding approved was 7.97 million NTD, with the National Academy of Educational Research subsidizing approximately 5.57 million NTD to assist the school in completing the renovation.

Yang Tsung-hsing emphasized the importance of a safe and complete sports environment for fostering school sports and nurturing young athletes. Upon completion, the renovated facility will offer an improved and secure space for teaching and training, while also remaining accessible to the community. This project aims to establish the Shenzuen Junior High School sports field as a valuable public facility for education, sports, and recreation in the Shengang area.

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A complete, safe sports environment is an important foundation for promoting campus sports and cultivating grassroots athletes.