header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
November 24
2003 - Ruth Newhall, longtime co-owner/editor of The Signal, dies in Berkeley [story]
Ruth Newhall


Photo: Melissa Lopez / Cougar News

Photo: Melissa Lopez / Cougar News

By Melissa Lopez | COC Cougar News

 

[Cougar News] – You may have passed by Cougar Stadium and seen walkers, joggers and runners on the track, but not recently.  College of the Canyons is now enforcing a longstanding rule barring the public from using the facility without approval.

Signs plastered the field, notifying the public that the track is not open for unauthorized use, and that violators will be prosecuted.

According to COC Athletic Director, Chuck Lyon, the track was never open to the public – people just used it.

“What we want to get away from is constant use, we are impacted and we have to be mindful of not displacing our classes and our teams,” Lyon said.

Lyon and COC are now enforcing the regulations because of the potential for lawsuits arising from injuries, and because the college just spent three quarters of a million dollars on renovations.

“We’ve been sued several times over incidents in the stadium and we can’t afford to keep getting sued, so it just doesn’t work that way,” Lyon said.

The stadium was also recently equipped with state of the art field turf “Revolution” monofilament turf, which cost approximately $700,000.

One group called the Santa Clarita Runners has been using Cougar Stadium for many years. Each week they held a track workout for their members. As of now, they’ve hosted their practice elsewhere.

Another member of the community, John Hartung, has been using the facility for many years as well. Just last month he went to the track to workout, but the gates were locked. He was then told that the track is no longer open to the public.

“I’m not aware of what resulted in this decision, but it doesn’t seem right to punish everyone. I would think there has to be a way to allow the public to use the track, and maybe place certain restrictions on those who do use it,” Hartung said.

Hartung has trained at Cougar Stadium for multiple marathons and is upset that this local track is now closed to the public.

“For me personally, it’s upsetting because I would use the track to train for half marathons. The surface was great for running long distances and reducing the risk of injury,” Hartung said.

Lyon  would like community members to know that there is a way for them to use the stadium. They must apply for a permit and go through proper channels. One may contact Robin Williams, COC facility coordinator, at 661-362-3240 for more information. The other way is to enroll in an exercise class.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

4 Comments

  1. FamilyFriendly says:

    CoC is being a bad neighbor.
    If UCLA can make their stadium and track available in lawsuit-happy Westwood, why can’t CoC?

    At LEAST make it available when classes or teams aren’t using it. Encourage users to self-police. And post legal signage that entering the property releases CoC from any liability due to injury or death… that you hereby accept full responsibility, etc. (And if it’s recently been renovated at $700,000, it seems that the chances of someone being injured due to CoC negligence is VERY low.)

    Sounds shortsighted to me. And unwise. This is a community here.

  2. G Washington says:

    Kick all of the freeloaders out. It is a college asset and should not receive extra wear and tear from locals using it at no cost. Do you just hop the fence and use your neighbor’s pool at will?

    • Jason says:

      The difference is that College of the Canyons is a public community college…your neighbors house is not.

      Even the University of Southern California allows members of the public into the track located on campus…and USC is a private college.

  3. Jason says:

    Isn’t it ironic they close the stadium to the public after Measure M passed and the renovations complete? College of the Canyon spent the money, but the general public pays for it through two separate annual property taxes.

    College of the Canyons should be concerned with this lawsuit…

Leave a Comment


HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
Registration is underway for the College of the Canyons winter 2025 session, which boasts more than 300 class sections.
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Art, in whatever the medium, can communicate so much. It can inspire imagination, exude peace and calm, or tell the world the stories of a community and a culture or connect on an extremely personal level.
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Every day for decades, NASA satellites have been collecting data about oceans and continents around the world.
Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024
Music possesses power. It brings people together, stirs emotions and has ability to heal in the form of music therapy. 
Thursday, Nov 14, 2024
College of the Canyons will host a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Speaker Series on Friday, Nov. 22 in an effort to engage, inform and inspire students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
2003 - Ruth Newhall, longtime co-owner/editor of The Signal, dies in Berkeley [story]
Ruth Newhall
1931 - Fall Roundup held at Hoot Gibson's Saugus Rodeo [story]
Hoot Gibson's 1931 Saugus Rodeo
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Awards + Installation event on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Hyatt Regency.
Jan. 31: SCV Chamber Awards + Installation Early Bird Tickets
The Valley Industry Assoction will host a Cocktails & Conversation event with Cameron Smyth on Thursday, Dec. 12, 5:30=7:30 p.m. at Margarita’s Mexican Grill, 23320 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355.
Dec. 12: Cocktails & Conversation with Cameron Smyth
Following an extensive search, the Governing Board of the William S. Hart Union High School District has unanimously selected current Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Vierra as the new Hart District Superintendent, filling the vacancy created when Mike Kuhlman resigned effective June 30.
Hart Board Selects Current Interim Superintendent to Fill Vacancy
"Christmas Carol: The True Meaning of Christmas" will be performed on stage at the Canyon Theatre Guild on weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 29 thru Monday, Dec. 23 at 24242 Main St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Nov. 29: ‘Christmas Carol, The True Meaning of Christmas’
The California Air Resources Board has approved a $34.94 million incentives funding plan that will continue support ongoing efforts to increase access to medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks, buses and equipment, with a focus on small businesses.
CARB Incentive Plan Focuses on Fleets for Small Businesses
Preparing to decorate for the holidays? If you come across broken string lights that are no longer usable, instead of tossing in the trash you can now drop them off for recycling at one of the SAFE collection centers
Recycle Broken Holiday Lights at SAFE Collection Centers
The nonprofit Raising the Curtain Foundation will host a fundraising event, "Holidayland" with mid-century pop culture expert Charles Phoenix, on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Dec. 8: ‘Charles Phoenix Holidayland’ at Newhall Family Theatre
The Santa Clarita City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26, beginning with a special closed meeting at 5 p.m., followed immediately with open session at 6 p.m.
Nov. 26: City Council Meets to Discuss Contracts, Open Space Naming
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Santa Clarita Valley will present its holiday boutique fundraiser, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church, 26640 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Nov. 23: ACS Relay for Life SCV Holiday Boutique
California State Parks Office of Historic Preservation has announced it will begin accepting applications for the State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025.
State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program Launch
1843 - Rancho Castec (Lebec-Tejon area) granted to French immigrant Jose Covarrubias [story]
Rancho Castec diseno map
Due to construction and weather delays, the closure of the exercise staircase at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350, will be extended through Nov. 28.
Central Park Exercise Staircase Closure Extended Thru Nov. 28
Santa Clarita Ballet's 30th anniversary production of "The Nutcracker" will perform, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15 at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 14-15: Santa Clarita Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Registration is underway for the College of the Canyons winter 2025 session, which boasts more than 300 class sections.
COC Winter 2025 Registration Underway
Christmas came early for The Master's University Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Starr.
TMU Men’s Basketball Knocks Off No. 2, Starr Sees 300th Win
Theatre in a Week and Off Book Theatre is back with its holiday one act comedy "Holiday Hijinx" Friday, Dec. 13- Sunday, Dec. 15 at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall.
Dec. 13-15: ‘Holiday Hijinx’ Presented by Theatre in a Week, Off Book Theatre
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale presents its Silver Bell Jubilee concert Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. at Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Dec. 8:  Santa Clarita Master Chorale Presents Silver Bell Jubilee
The holiday season is just around the corner and it’s one of the most magical times of the year.
Mayor Cameron Smyth | Experience Holiday Cheer on the Tracks
Celebrate this special time of year with the 29th annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade and holiday event Saturday, Dec. 7 at Castaic Lake, Lower Lagoon.
Dec. 7: The 29th Annual Winter Magic Lighted Boat Parade
1967 - Local voters approve formation of community college and elect COC's first five-member board - Dr. William G. Bonelli Jr., Bruce Fortine, Sheila Dyer, Peter Huntsinger, Edward Muhl [story]
COC board
You can make a difference in a child or teen’s life this holiday season through the Boys and Girls Club of the Santa Clarita Valley. You can volunteer at a club holiday event, host a toy drive, sponsor a club family or make a donation.
Hope for the Holidays with Boys & Girls Club of SCV
Art, in whatever the medium, can communicate so much. It can inspire imagination, exude peace and calm, or tell the world the stories of a community and a culture or connect on an extremely personal level.
Kalli Arte Collective to be CSUN’s First Orndorff Artist-in-Residence
SCVNews.com