WINSLOW — Town councilors unanimously approved the first reading of a resolution to borrow up to $200,000 to reconstruct the Winslow Municipal Track.
The track, which opened in 1986, is a victim of neglect, said to Winslow Athletic Director Carrie Larrabee. It requires resurfacing every 10 years, but it was only resurfaced once, in 1996. As a result, the rubber surface has worn away, and the asphalt beneath has deteriorated.
The track has been closed to competitive events for two seasons. Councilors had to decide whether it would be closed for a third.
Before the vote, Councilor Kenneth Fletcher asked the council to consider more than just the $200,000 loan.
“The is not so much about whether we borrow the money, but how we maintain it afterward,” Fletcher said.
It is unclear how the 10-year resurfacing schedule was overlooked in 2006, he said, but the council should take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. He suggested a cost-sharing agreement with the town schools that use the facility, and asked Larrabee whether the schools could set aside money into a capital improvement fund.
Larrabee said schools cannot establish such accounts — any money in the school budget must be used during the same fiscal year — but the schools could commit to budgeting the money in the years it’s needed.
Fletcher asked Larrabee to build a strong case for the track, saying some residents might argue that a school that has maintained a track team for two years without a track could continue doing so in perpetuity.
Larrabee said the schools spend more than $3,000 per year taking the teams to other locations, such as Lawrence High School. She also said school pride was an important factor.
Councilor Paul Manson said he would rather weigh the track’s effect on students than the budget, and added that a functioning track brings other schools to the town for events, helping to stimulate the local economy.
Resident Bob Nixon, who was athletic director when the track was installed, spoke on behalf of the reconstruction project. He said the track is also popular with adults, particularly the elderly.
As it is now, the track is still safe for walkers, or runners who stay within the inside lanes.
Council Chairman Gerald St. Aumand said he has been approached by several running groups that have pledged to hold annual fundraisers for the track.
Town Manager Michael Heavener said he would compile a detailed list of potential costs and a range of options for councilors to consider before the next reading of the resolution in July.
Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com
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