Bangor offers new summer track program for youth

Bangor High School track-and-field coach Gary Capehart is hoping a new summer track program in Bangor will help to stimulate interest in the sport among the young and old alike.

The Bangor Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a twice-weekly summer track program for pupils ages 6 to 14. The summer program is unique in that it will double on Wednesdays as an open track meet for competitors of all ages.

“We’re hoping to get younger kids exposed to track early on so we can have more kids participating in meets like the Hershey’s Track and Field meets, and go on to do well in high school,” said Capehart, program director.

“We’d also like to have adult track meets on Wednesday – sort of an abridged meet for the older track enthusiasts in the area to help build up support and interest in the sport.”

Organizers think many runners and former track athletes would welcome a chance to measure themselves against other runners.

The program sessions run Mondays and Wednesdays from June 11 to July 18 and will take place at the Garland Street Field track complex in Bangor.

This is the first year such a program has been offered in Bangor, at least since Capehart arrived here from Connecticut 16 years ago. Capehart got the idea for a summer program from the meets he used to participate in while he was living in Connecticut.

The program already has peaked the interest of more than 30 youngsters. Capehart and Bangor Deparment of Parks and Recreation coordinator Betsy Gallant expect more to sign up after area schools close for the summer.

If there seems to be so much interest in the program, why did Capehart and others wait so long before starting a program like this?

“We’ve tried to do it in the past, but the track was in disrepair, or was being rebuilt, and we didn’t have any running water for the kids,” said Capehart.

Now that he has a new facility to work with, Capehart wants to make sure it doesn’t go unused throughout the summer.

“It’s a beautiful facility, and we need to give it more use,” he said.

Monday night sessions will be run as practice sessions, while Wednesday nights feature meets. Approximately 12 to14 Bangor High School track team members have volunteered to help coach the kids.

Every event except the pole vault will be offered in both the youth and adult meets.

“We will select six or seven events each week to work on on Monday, and then offer those at the Wednesday meet,” Capehart explained.

In the event of bad weather, organizers will have the freedom to postpone a session, and even go to a Tuesday-Thursday schedule if necessary.

“It’s the first year we’ve done this, so I know we’re going to have some problems,” Capehart said. “If it goes well this year, we could possibly hold even more programs next year.”

Registration for the youth program is $20 per child. There is no entry fee for the Wednesday adult meets. People interested in participating in the program may call 947-1018.

Youth track-and-field programs are also offered in Brewer and Old Town. Residents living in those areas should call the local recreation department for more information.