Shortening the Shawano Speedway from a half mile to a three-eighths mile track may not be as simple or cheap as once believed.
Grant Bystol, Shawano County highway commissioner, told members of the Shawano Area Agricultural Society, which operates the track, his department could complete the engineering and blueprints for about $15,000. He estimated a private firm’s costs would be more than $40,000.
Then there is the permitting needed from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. While the county highway department cannot do this work, Bystol estimated those costs at another $15,000.
Bystol said his department’s review of the proposal raised several issues.
“Larger radiuses on the Shawano track,” he said. “When I say radius, look at the distance between the two curves, the width of the track. So, when you sketch out a three-eighths mile track, your straightaway length is only 307 feet.”
Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, one of the premier tracks in the state, has a tighter radius and longer straightaways.
Bystol said Shawano currently uses the frontstretch for tractor pulls and a demolition derby that would both end up with a smaller space.
“If you were to actually design-build this with proper banking, you’re going to carry some banking down the frontstretch in front of of the grandstands, which I assume might create some problems for tractor pulls or demos,” Bystol said.
About two decades ago, there was some storm sewer work done near Turn 4. Bystol said if Turns 3 and 4 are moved to create the shorter track, officials will need to address the resulting drainage issues. That was not discussed in previous conversations.
“In order to have this disturbance, I guarantee you’re going to have to have a DNR permit,” he said. “You’re most likely going to have to have a retention pond.”
The parking surface to the west of the track is flat, which will also cause concerns with a storm sewer plan and DNR guidelines.
“Your disturbance is going to be over an acre,” Bystol said. “You’re going to be required to have a storm sewer plan and drainage.”
The DNR won’t issue a permit for any work until the design is first completed.
Bystol said sometimes you need to prove a total suspended solids reduction for the DNR permit. That type of environmental engineering would need to be contracted out, probably for $15,000, he said.
Initial discussions about a shorter track did not include engineering costs or DNR permitting, just an estimate of about $75,000 to shorten the track by bringing in Turns 3 and 4.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
