The Spring Valley School District welcomed community members and students to the track and field groundbreaking April 24, a large portion of the approved 2025 referendum projects.

“Our kids deserve this facility,” track and field coach Sean Hoolihan said. “They’ll no longer have to find creative ways to practice.”

Hoolihan said he and his siblings Brady and Briana are extremely excited to see the track finally come to fruition. They almost got a track back in the 1990s, but it was removed from the referendum to get it to pass. Now, Hoolihan said the students will have a safe surface, jumping pits, exchange zones for relays, pole vault, shot put and discus areas to practice. With over 100 students between high school and middle school involved in track and field, the track will get plenty of use.

Hoolihan’s father, Larry, was a track and field coach and long-time teacher in the district. His mother was also a major supporter of the district adding a track.

“I know they are smiling down super happy right now. This has been a dream for a long time, not only a dream for my family, but for many other athletes and their families,” Hoolihan said.

District Administrator John Groh said Hoolihan’s message resonated with many.

“That was incredible. He obviously spoke from the heart,” Groh said. “He did a nice job explaining how right now for years we’ve used the parking lot, or the hill or this makeshift sandpit. He’s like, ‘Finally, our kids can practice what it’s like to do a handoff exchange on a curve.’

“He definitely, I think, had the most resounding message that this is going to matter to us for a long time,” Groh said.

According to Nexus Solutions Program Manager Rob Brown, Spring Valley is the lone district of its size in the state without a track.

Spring Valley Elementary Principal Nicole Lamb gave a welcoming address at the event, sharing how the school will also benefit, not just the high school and middle school track teams.

“Today is about more than just moving dirt,” Lamb said. “It’s about building a community.”

She said SVE students are looking forward to hosting many future track and field days at the new track.

“This represents our commitment to every student who walks through the doors of Spring Valley schools,” Lamb said.

Groh thanked the community task force that studied the 2025 referendum projects, including the track. He also thanked the Village of Spring Valley and the Town of Gilman for working with them to annex the bus barn property.

“It really is incredible, the amount of support the Spring Valley community gives to the school. We know that times are tough and every dollar counts, and for people to prioritize education as one of the things they are going to give money to willingly is amazing,” Groh said. “Both referendums didn’t pass by a big a margin, so we know that there’s a lot of people out there that are at their maximum. We very much respect that and appreciate that and are trying to be really wise with every decision we make and make every dollar be as long-lasting as possible.”

The majority of the work on the track will be completed by the fall to have it ready to go for the spring season. The bus barn project is expected to begin in August or September with expected completion around April 2027, depending on weather. Groh said the projects are currently coming in under budget, so the board will have some decisions to make on how to optimally use the funds.

Groh said the track is a project that benefits not only the district but the community. He said other schools’ tracks see frequent use from the community, and he wants the same for Spring Valley.

School Board President Monica Vorlicek said the community voices were heard during the 2025 referendum vote, approving new LED lighting, flooring, sprinkler/fire alarm systems, the track and the bus barn.

“Bus drivers are a vital part of the Spring Valley family, and this is an investment that allows us to properly maintain our vehicle and bus fleet,” Vorlicek said of the bus barn.

The day was not just about the track and the bus barn, though. MS/HS Principal Chris Segerstrom spoke about the new locker rooms, special education rooms, tech-ed spaces, common areas and more included in the project.

“The facilities will match the pride we have in our students and staff. The future is being built right here, and it starts now,” Segerstrom said.

Editor Sarah Nigbor contributed to this report.