ORONO – Ground will be broken Friday for the new Clarence Beckett Family Track and Field Center at the University of Maine.

The track is being named after Clarence Beckett, an avid UM supporter and sports fan who contributed $400,000 to the project. The track provides the university with a long-needed, top-quality complex for practice, competition, hosting events and community recreational use.

The ground breaking ceremony is 2 p.m. at Alumni Field.

Construction of the track is expected to be completed by the opening of the fall semester.

Beckett, of Calais, is a member of the class of 1923. The loyal Black Bear fan and sports program benefactor has a special interest in football and track. He worked out with the track team as an undergraduate, and served as assistant manager and managaer in 1921-22.

“The track and field event areas have always been inadequate and were a handicap for the teams,” Beckett says.

Beckett hopes his gift and the new field will increase opportunities for UMathletes and provide a facility that will attract national and international competition.

“Clarence Beckett is a great supporter of the university,” said UM track coach Jim Ballinger. “The new complex will help our teams and benefit the community.”

The new eight-lane track is being built over the old, unusable six-lane track on Alumni Field. Because of the poor condition of the existing track, the team has not been able to have home meets in the past 10 years and had to practice indoors, according to Ballinger.

The new polyurethane surface will require less upkeep and last longer while providing excellent conditions for running, Ballinger said.

The track and field complex will feature four long and triple jump areas, two shot put areas, two javelin runways, two hammer and discus areas, a hexagonal high jump area, a steeplechase area, and a pole vault area.

The new facility will also become the site of an annual relay championship underwritten by a gift from Phi Mu Delta, a former UM fraternity.

“We envision a premiere event in the Northeast, with championship track meets for high schools, and separate days for Special Olympics and corporate relay teams,” Ballinger said.