BANGOR – One of the things that many Mainers like about their state is the ability to use recreation vehicles – especially snowmobiles. Between 1997 and this year, according to the Maine Department of Conservation, snowmobile registrations have climbed from 70,800 to 96,600, and ATV registrations have increased from 27,300 to 45,000.

Bringing out the machines for riding leads to the need to maintain them. That’s where the United Technology Center on the Hogan Road comes in.

Among the classes offered is outdoor power and recreation, where, as second-year student Jack Rozelle said, “I have snowmobiles and four-wheelers, and I wanted to learn how to work on them myself.”

The course began in 1980, with its current instructor, George Bergeron. Classes are in session 8:30-10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m. daily.

The classes, which usually number 14-16 high school juniors and seniors, draw young people from seven area schools, and 32 towns.

The curriculum usually mirrors the seasons, meaning that after an initial safety training period and working on trainer engines, the students will move on to work on lawn and garden equipment engines, such as a lawn mower or weed whacker. “They also winterize the motors of personal watercraft, outboard motors and stern drives,” Bergeron said.

With the onset of winter, the students will work on snowmobiles and snowblowers. Spring brings the lawn and garden items out of hibernation, as well as the marine equipment such as outboard motors and four-wheelers.

In addition, students learn other things, such as being responsible for the tools in the tool room.

The boys also gain customer service and business experience, as the public brings in items for the students to work on.

Students then go through the transaction as a business would – making the work order and the estimate, looking up the parts and calculating the proper price for the part.

The students, who do not charge for labor, figure a profit margin for the parts. The profit then goes back into the program at the school to pay for other parts.

That curriculum is the drawing card for the students.

For Ryan Curley, one of the things he likes about the class is its activities, adding that it “helps me learn about engines, how things work.”

“You actually work on snowmobiles, instead of just learning about it in books,” he said. “I’m surprised at the amount of information I’ve learned.”

That information helps former students gain employment at small engine machine shops in the region, according to a 1992 graduate of the program, Tony Rice.

Rice, who works at Bangor Motor Sports, credits the class with helping him get where he is today.

“For me, the highlight of the day was going to George’s class. I loved every minute. He taught all the fundamentals, a lot of theory,” Rice said.

His co-worker, 1997 program graduate Josh Knipping, agrees.

“Every single day, I use stuff I learned from his [Bergeron’s] class,” Knipping said.

Those interested in attending classes at the United Technology Center should contact their high school guidance counselor or technical coordinator, or call UTC at 942-5296.