Stratford student-athletes and community members will soon have a new track to call home.
On September 8, the State Bond Commission approved $1.3 million for the complete replacement of the athletic track at Bunnell High School, following a funding request advocated for by State Representative Kaitlyn Shake.
The investment addresses a facility that has been a growing concern for athletes, coaches, parents, teachers, and residents for several years.
Bunnell’s track is the only athletic track in Stratford and serves much more than one high school. It is used by students and athletic teams from both Bunnell and Stratford High Schools, students from Wooster and Flood Middle Schools, local youth sports organizations, and members of the wider Stratford community.
Years of heavy use have taken their toll.
As conditions deteriorated, the town has relied increasingly on temporary repairs to keep the track open and operational. Its condition had reached the point where it could potentially no longer host regular-season competitions.
The $1.3 million state investment will allow for a complete replacement rather than another temporary fix, providing a facility designed for long-term competitive and community use.
Representative Shake advocated for the funding and emphasized both the community impact of the project and the importance of reducing its financial burden on Stratford taxpayers.
“This will make a major difference in the quality of life and opportunity for our student athletes and community members of all ages across our town,” Shake said in announcing the funding.
She also noted that replacing the track will allow Stratford Public Schools to once again host athletic competitions here in town, strengthening opportunities for local students and helping build community pride.
Mayor David Chess welcomed the announcement as well, crediting Shake’s advocacy for helping Stratford secure the state investment.
This is exactly what strong representation in Hartford should accomplish: listening to a need here at home, advocating for Stratford at the state level, and bringing resources back to our community.
The Stratford Democratic Town Committee thanks Representative Kaitlyn Shake for her work securing this critical funding, as well as Governor Ned Lamont and the State Bond Commission for investing in Stratford’s students and community.
For our student-athletes, coaches, families, and residents, this $1.3 million investment means more than a new track. It means a safer, more reliable facility and the opportunity to bring competitions back home to Stratford.
Read Representative Kaitlyn Shake’s September 8, 2026 press release (JPG).
