Alumni May Finance New Track, Replacing Inadequate Briggs Cage

An alumni group is considering offering to finance construction of a track with a plastic dome to replace Briggs Cage.

The structure could be built as early as next year, William Nelson, member of the Friends of Harvard Track, said Friday. It would be temporary, designed to serve only until the construction of a new indoor athletic complex.

Approval for the measure would have to be obtained from the Harvard Athletic Association and the executive committee of the Friends of Harvard Track, which has not yet formally considered the proposal.

Interim facilities are needed because the proposed athletic complex has been postponed indefinitely, and meanwhile runners are suffering injuries on the hard, cramped Briggs Cage track, Nelson said.

Into the Cookie Jar

Therefore the Friends of Harvard Track, a group composed of alumni of the track team, may use some of the money it has accumulated from contributions to build a domed track, Nelson said.

Track Coach William W. McCurdy said Friday that he was "very interested" in the idea, but thinks specific details must be worked out before the plan is presented to the HAA. "I am a babe in the woods when it comes to plastic bubbles," he said.

Nelson said a possible location for the track is the site of the present freshman track, but added that this decision as well as all the other details needs considerable study. He said the building might cost as little as $100,000. A plastic dome is far cheaper than a steel and brick construction, he said.

Dean Watson, chairman of the Faculty Committee on Athletics, said last night that he had not heard of the proposal, and so preferred to withhold comment.