EUGENE - Fans gathering at Hayward Field this spring have seen signs that the 2008 Olympic Team Trials for track and field are on the way.

A new state-of-the-art video scoreboard and sound system are among the changes quickly noticed by those who regularly attend meets at the historic venue.

The track has been resurfaced, permanent television-quality lights have been added and the infield reconfigured.

Vin Lananna, head of the University of Oregon’s track and field and cross country programs, said the response has been positive.

“This community has embraced it with both arms, and this spring has been absolutely phenomenal, except for the weather,” he said.

All of the renovation work at Hayward the past two years has been done to meet requirements in hosting the Trials, which begin a 10-day run June 27.

The infield now includes two pole vault runways, long jump and triple jump runways and side-by side shot put rings and high jump aprons.

Hayward hosted its first large-scale meet last weekend, with about 1,700 athletes competing in the Oregon Relays.

This was the first of several warm-up meets that will help officials prepare for the enormity of the Trials.

“We’re running a lot of the same flow of traffic in here, which is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to do it,” Lananna said.

Hayward was closed most of last summer for the track resurfacing and infield reconfiguring.

The nearly three-foot crown on the infield was removed, allowing coaches to watch their athletes’ foot plant from across the track.

The prep work — $7.4 million total in facility improvements — continues this week with the construction of temporary bleachers that will create a “bowl” setting for the Trials.

The bleachers and hospitality suites will bring capacity from 10,500 to more than 16,000.

Rachel Yurkovich, an Oregon junior and the collegiate leader in the women’s javelin, said she feels fortunate to be competing while changes are taking place.

“We’re so lucky to have this,” she said. “We already had the best facility, now we have something better.“

Yurkovich, from Newberg, will be a favorite to land an Olympic Games berth while competing in front of fans on her home track.

About two months from the start of the Trials, the excitement is growing.

“Sometimes you get yourself caught up in it,” Yurkovich said.

Last year, Hayward was also named the site of the 2012 Olympic Trials. It’s the only facility to host three consecutive Trials — in 1972, 1976 and 1980.

Last summer, the University of Oregon was announced as host of the 2010 NCAA national championship meet. It will be the seventh time since 1962 the meet has been held at Hayward, the last in 2001.

In December, Eugene was also awarded the 2009 and 2011 USA national championship meets.

The latest renovations are the latest in a long series of improvements.

A six-lane cinder track was constructed for $10,000 in 1921, two years after the Hayward Field was built for Oregon football.

Football moved from Hayward when Autzen Stadium opened in 1967.

The first all-weather surface track was constructed in 1970.

Yurkovich said the recent improvements add to the atmosphere for the athletes, bringing out their best.

“It’s definitely motivating,” she said. “We’ve got a good track team, good facilities, good fans ... what else could you ask for?”