To keep its high school renovation project on track, Knoch School District is its closing its track to the public immediately and will later entirely close the Knoch Athletic Stadium this summer.

The district announced Monday that use of the stadium track will be limited to school teams as work begins with the removal of one fence.

The work is done in preparation for the pouring of a concrete rim needed for resurfacing the track around the stadium, which will occur during the summer months.

“There's pavement on the track and that is close to the field, and that's going to impact how they work on that hillside, so it was work that needed to be done,” David Foley, superintendent of Knoch School District, said. “The challenge was, if we didn't do the pavement outside, it would have a ripple effect. It would put the project back a couple months, and we were worried about that impacting fall sports.”

He explained that the stadium’s field will be open for the conclusion of the track and lacrosse teams’ seasons and events, including the KIES Track Meet, eighth-grade graduation, prom walk and commencement will go on as usual, working around the construction.

Spectators, however, may be designated to the visitors’ side bleachers during this phase of construction.

“We might have some temporary fencing up there just to keep everybody safe and away from the construction zone,” Foley said.

Once commencement, set for May 29, is over, the stadium will be closed entirely throughout the summer to complete these upgrades and open up again in time for the fall sports season.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to improve these facilities for everyone’s benefit,” the district said in a Monday Facebook post.

Knoch High School is currently undergoing a $39 million renovation, which includes the addition of a cafeteria and kitchen space, along with a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) lab, and a new main entryway. The renovation project also includes a face-lift for the high school auditorium, as well as a new wellness center and theater classroom.

Since the first week of December, most of the entrances along Knoch Road have been blocked off by the construction, leaving one secure entrance door plus gym entrances.