Most of the plans to reduce the size of the Shawano Speedway have been drawn up, but the question of who will pay for it still lingers.
For more than a year, track organizers have pushed to shrink the raceway from the half-mile to a three-eighths mile oval. It’s believed a shorter track will attract more drivers, which will lead to more fans and more money for all involved.
“I think before we decide on any shape or anything like that, we have to discuss funding, because any decision from this meeting forward is going to cost money,” Nick Hesse, facilities management director for Shawano County, told members of the public property committee Aug. 6. “We need to figure out who’s paying for what.”
Grant Bystol, county highway commissioner, said if the county takes the lead on this, a plan with point data, cross-sections and draining plans needs to be finalized.
Based on contours provided in the current proposal, Bystol offered several estimates for bringing in Turns 3 and 4 to make the track shorter.
“There’s 25,000-30,000 cubic yards of earthwork. There are between six and eight power poles in conflict, plus or minus four electrical pads and outlets in the pits, and the stop-and-go lights need to be relocated,” he said. “There is 1,300 feet of old retaining wall to remove, reinstall 822 feet of retaining wall. There’s about 885 feet of new fence to wrap the exterior. There’s approximately 400 feet of storm sewer plus additional yard drains. There’s approximately 1,600 cubic yards of topsoil that will be needed to restore the abandoned area to the north.”
The total, without final design, is about $250,000, Bystol said.
Some of the work could be done with in-kind donations, such as the moving of electrical poles, or costs can be saved by reusing the old fencing.
Still be decided would be the locations of the pit entrance and exit lanes.
The current proposal has a 307-foot straightaway, which is short of the 340 feet needed for tractor pulls that are held on the track during the county fair.
Whether the project will require a retention pond will be determined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after they review the plans.
On Aug. 10, the highway department started a 2-mile reconstruction project for another municipality that will keep them busy the rest of the season.
“I don’t know who wants who to do what, but we’re pretty much tied up with equipment through the end of October,” Bystol said.
Bystol said the construction time would most likely be in the fall of 2027 if the highway department is involved.
“Let’s get some numbers and see where we sit,” said Rick Giese, chairman of the public property committee.
The topic will be back on the committee’s Sept. 3 agenda.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
