Couple gives $50, 000 for new school
track
Thursday, November 15, 2007
by Nok-noi Ricker of the Bangor Daily News.
When the decision was made to use the Pendleton Street School
location for the new combined elementary-middle school, the state
agreed to replace the six-lane outdoor running track that the new
building will sit upon.
During the planning process for the $39 million Brewer Community
School project, the question was raised about the possibility the track
could be expanded to the standard eight lanes required for regional
track meets. The answer was yes, but the money would need to be raised
locally.
Two Holden residents - Claustin and Belinda Lawrence - have taken it
upon themselves to pitch in with a $50,000 donation to make the new
track eight lanes, Superintendent Daniel Lee said Wednesday.
"We are delighted," he said of the donation. "It's going to make it
possible for this community to offer expanded services."
In addition to regional track meets, the city's parks and recreation
department will be able to use the facility for its needs.
The Lawrences are strong supporters of Brewer High School's track
program and have had children in the program, Lee said.
The cost to construct a new running track varies, depending on the
type of surface and whether drainage and other amenities are included.
Typically, the cost of a basic track is about $200,000 to $300,000, but
can be much more, according to Current Surfaces Inc., a Michigan-based
track construction company.
As part of the new school project, which voters will consider during
a Dec. 4 referendum, the track will be rebuilt onto the lot's western
side.
If that is approved, the state would pitch in with more than $36
million for the school construction project, and residents would pay
$133, 000 for land and around $2.7 million for a school auditorium.
The 156,350-square-foot, two-story school and auditorium are designed
to replace five schools in the city that were all built more than 50
years ago. The new school will be located at the corner of Pendleton
Street and Parkway South, which is where the outdoor track is located.
"We're just grateful that they thought enough of us," Lee said of the
Lawrences.
The project, if approved by residents, is slated to be completed in
2010 and will house about 1,100 students. |
