The press box portion of the Luria Conference Center will be ready by March 19, just before the college hosts the annual Track and Field Easter Conference Relays.

But Scott Fickerson, head coach for both men’s and women’s track and field teams, treats the news about the press box’s readiness with caution. Fickerson also oversees planning for the annual event as chairman of the Easter Relays Commitee.

“It’s the only track meet at home, so if you only see one, this is it,” Fickerson said.

A construction plan existed prior to the school gaining Measure V funding, but it was revamped and further modified to the soon-to-be-completed plan.

The new facility, which broke dirt last February, will have multiple purposes. Two additional spaces to both sides of the broadcast booth will double as conference rooms and special event locales.

Although the project will likely come under its $1.7 million estimated budget, the project has seen its share of delays.

In order for the college to be able to build or change anything, a request must be submitted for review to the state’s Division of State Architects. Steve Massetti, project manager for the school’s renovation itinerary, said that is a process that can take “a notoriously long time.”

There was also an issue with the soil under the structure.

Massetti said the soil was not packed firmly enough to sustain the structure’s new concrete base or to prevent water seepage.

In order to ensure that the structure wouldn’t sink, plenty of earth needed to be removed and replaced with a less porous material.

Despite the delays, Massetti is confident that the press box will be ready in time for the relays and the entire conference center will be completed before fall semester.

He said that the new press box will be tested out two days prior to the three day event on March 19.

The collegiate portion is scheduled for March 26, with the javelin and hammer toss beginning at 9 a.m. on Westmont’s campus.

The rest of the events start at 10:30 a.m. at La Playa Stadium.

Fickerson estimates that between 10 and 15 teams will compete.