About 50 individuals gathered at Saratoga’s West Valley College on August 15 to protest the demolition of an existing running track. The removal is part of a larger campus renovation project that will replace the current physical education complex with a new wellness center.
The West Valley-Mission Community College District initiated the project using funds from Measure W, a $700 million bond approved by voters in 2018 for facility upgrades. Initially, the district allocated approximately $92 million to construct the wellness center and renovate the physical education building at their original location.
In 2025, officials identified significant hazards associated with the existing site, including seismic risks and the need to relocate staff and classrooms. These factors were projected to increase costs by $23.3 million. Consequently, the district moved the construction plans to the track and field area, combining both projects into a single development.
The revised plan creates what officials call a continuous wellness corridor. This facility will house athletics instruction, campus-wide fitness programming, and a new $5 million running track under one roof.
Attendees at the August 15 demonstration emphasized the historical value of the current track. Former athletics director Bill Campbell noted that the Olympic-grade surface is at least half an inch thick, providing a softer landing suitable for older adults and individuals with disabilities who regularly use the facility.
Faculty member Diane Rudy expressed frustration with the project's scope. She stated that the wellness center represents only a fraction of the new structure and called for greater transparency regarding district spending.
“I think the wellness center is getting slighted, and I think the rest of the campus and students in general are getting slighted,” Rudy said. “I don’t think they have to tear up their track and put their massive athletic center here.”