Two high schools in Fremont, California are getting new track and field surfaces to replace aging athletic facilities that have likely been deteriorating for over a decade.

Fremont Unified School District is seeking contractors to install new tracks at American High School and Kennedy High School, both built in the 1960s and 1970s. The district is moving quickly: a mandatory pre-bid conference was held in mid-February, and the project is funded entirely with local money rather than state matching grants.

The timing reflects a broader pattern across California, where school districts are rushing to address a $100 billion statewide maintenance backlog while capital is still available. Many districts delayed athletic facility repairs during the 2008 recession and COVID years, and are now catching up before pandemic-era federal funds fully expire and local budgets tighten.

Track surfaces typically last 10 to 15 years before rubber degrades, cracks, and creates safety concerns. If these tracks date to the early 2010s or before, they're overdue for replacement. The fact that both schools need work simultaneously suggests they were installed in the same construction wave and hit the replacement threshold together.

The project must meet California's prevailing wage requirements and includes a 3% participation goal for disabled veteran-owned businesses. The district has already issued one addendum to the original solicitation, suggesting changes to specifications or scope after the initial posting.

Contractor selection is underway, with construction timelines to be determined once bids are awarded.