University of Mississippi track and field home meets have been cancelled while the facility undergoes additional testing on recently discovered cavities.
University officials suspended the use of the Ole Miss Track and Field Complex while the grounds are investigated for worsened conditions, according to a press release sent April 3.
Athletic Director Ross Bjork said as soon as the issues of the facility were recognized, they immediately tested the field and discovered potential cavities under the surface, according to the press release.
“Safety and security are our first priority,” Bjork said. “Engineering experts are being brought in for further research and to help determine the best course of action for the short and long term.”
Joey Jones, associate director of Media and Public Relations for Ole Miss Athletics, said the issue was discovered because facilities are encouraged to look for improvement.
Jones said there was a concern for collected moisture on the surface around the facility. To be safe they decided to cancel meets at the complex, until more information can be acquired.
“It’s all up in the air right now,” Jones said. “You never want to put student-athletes or fans in harm’s way.”
Ashton Pearson, director of the Physical Plant Department, said the university is investigating this matter with a geotechnical consultant, and the area under the facility will be assessed with a ground-penetrating radar in order to determine the magnitude of the problem.
“Sinkholes are inherently dangerous due to the surface feature collapsing suddenly and unexpectedly,” Pearson said.
Pearson said the standard procedure when a problem like this is presented on campus is to block off the affected area while crews fix the issue.
“Crews will be called in to excavate down to the bottom of the void in an attempt to determine or isolate the cause of why the soil erosion has occurred,” Pearson said. “Any surface features damaged as a result of the sinkhole would then be reported.”
