THE BETH PANCOE POOL

The world knows of Stephen and Tabitha King as authors; Maine, particularly around their home of Bangor, also knows of them as philanthropists. Their latest gift of a pool – a series of pools, really – is both extremely generous and will be appreciated by local kids and their parents for many years. Bangor can be grateful for such a beautiful present.

The new pool will replace the much-repaired and undersized one currently at Hayford Park. It will be three times the size of the current pool and include an area for lap swimming, a general swim section, a shallow stretch for children and a separate water-slide area. Construction of the pool, for which the Kings are donating $1.1 million, is expected to be completed next spring and will be named in honor of Beth Pancoe, a Bangor High School swim team member who died from leukemia during her sophomore year of college in 1999.

It is no secret in Bangor that many teen-agers find the choice of activities here lacking – a favorite pastime again this summer is standing in the parking lots of businesses closed for the evening. The new pool is a healthy alternative to standing around, like several of the other gifts the Kings have given over the years.

The Mansfield Stadium complex, for instance, not only is busy with area baseball teams but will play host to the Senior Little League World Series next month. The Kings’ gift of $2.5 million both made the expansion of the Bangor Public Library affordable and jumpstarted the campaign to raise the rest of the needed funding. City Manager Ed Barrett notes that none of these gifts have been solicited; the Kings have come forward with support that has improved Bangor immeasurably.

Likewise with the University of Maine, Eastern Maine Medical Center, the Maine Discovery Museum, the National Folk Festival, the United

Way and on and on, their generosity demonstrates a powerful awareness of the help this community needs and a deep commitment for providing it. They deserve the city and the region’s continued thanks.