North Attleboro to host 2012 International Junior Olympics

North Attleboro, Massachusetts will be the site of the 2012 International Junior Olympics Festival. Over 70 countries and 8,000 athletes typically take part in this nine-day track meet. The United States last hosted this meet in 1986 in San Diego, California.

In preparation for this event the facilities at North Attleboro High School and Community Field will be totally revamped. Corporate sponsorship will fund the majority of improvements. At the high school, the existing track will be replaced with an 8-lane Duratech surface and synthetic infield, extensive lighting for night competition and expanded seating for 15,000 fans. The Raymond Beaupre Jr. Football Field will be moved just south of its present site. Home Depot is the primary sponsor and will gain naming rights to the track.

A six-lane practice track will be built near the center of town at Community Field. The existing lights and seating will remain the same. The infield of the practice track will remain as a football field. Dunkin Donuts is fully funding this renovation and has met terms with the town in its' renaming as The Dunkin Donuts Community Field. Dunkin Donuts has received a ten-year lease on all concessions within the facility.

The infrastructure improvement don't stop there. Adjoining Rose Field will be converted to a convention building where the press corps will be housed and all press conferences will be held. Foreign athletes will be housed in a new 3,000 room "Olympic Villiage" style complex on the former town landfill. American athletes will have the choice of living within private homes or lodging at the Pineapple Inn. Families willing to host American athletes should contact Northrunning.com for details.