Brewer, Bucksport tracks get repairs> Schools, citizens will benefit from work

The running tracks at Brewer and Bucksport have been under construction for the past two weeks, making it impossible for runners and walkers to use the facilities. But now the finishing touches are being applied, and the new surfaces will make up for the minor inconveniences the construction may have caused.

The Brewer track, located at the Pendleton Street School, and the Bucksport track, located at Bucksport High, have received new Plexi-track Lightning surfaces from Maine Tennis Court Inc., of Gray. The Plexi-track surface is advertised as softer, more durable and easier to repair than traditional track surfaces.

At Brewer, the surface replaces a 10-year-old surface that was composed of tar and rubber. At Bucksport, it replaces the cinder track that has served the community for 25 years.

According to Brewer High athletic director Dennis Kiah, the old surface had become dangerous to use and the new surface will allow Brewer to continue hosting meets. Bucksport’s new surface may allow the school to begin hosting meets again, something that has not happened since all-weather tracks began to be laid in eastern Maine.

In both communities, people of all ages will benefit from the new surfaces through recreation programs and the hours when the tracks are open for anyone to use.

“The community has seen how much the track is used,” said long-time Brewer High track coach Dave Jeffrey. “Now they look upon the track as one of the strengths of the city, and know we should take care of it.”

In Brewer, the city and the school department joined forces to raise the money, just over $50,000, for the resurfacing. Although it was significantly more expensive than the $19,000 that was spent to resurface the track five years ago, Jeffrey said the Plexi-track may save money in the long run.

“This surface should last eight to ten years, and when they have to work on it, the work should [cost] much less,” he said.

Bucksport High track coach Joel Sankey said the resurfacing has already generated excitement in the community. He said that before the sealant was put down this week, people were coming to the track in the evening after the construction workers had left to walk or jog.

“It makes the people proud of the facility. I think more and more people will use it now,” he said.

Sankey also coaches football at Bucksport, and since the track rims the football field, his team hasn’t been able to practice there this week. Sankey, though, said it’s a small price to pay for the chance that the Golden Bucks might host meets again.

“Twenty-five years ago the Bucksport cinder track was one of the best around. They ran Hancock County and PVC meets there. Then they put down the all-weather tracks in Brewer, Orono, Hampden. This has been a long time coming,” he said.

Sankey admitted that Bucksport will need to acquire more hurdles, high jump and pole vault standards, and reconstruct the shot put and discus areas before the facility is suitable to host a meet. He is optimistic that it will be ready for the spring season.

Sankey said town manager Roger Raymond was a “driving force” behind the fund-raising effort. The track fund also received money from a tax related program at the Champion paper mill.

The track at Brewer rims the soccer field, and Kiah said the soccer teams will use the field for Saturday’s games against Caribou. There will be rugs over the surface so it is not damaged before Monday, when the lines are scheduled to be painted. The Bucksport facility will be ready for the Golden Bucks’ Saturday exhibition football game against Hampden.