Lisbon school officials and employees, volunteers and students gathered at its track Monday morning to partake in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new track that’s on the way, hopefully to be completed by next spring.

The morning “marked a historical moment for the citizens and school community of Lisbon,” a press release about the event stated.

Superintendent Richard Green greeted the small group of guests attending the ceremony to begin the long-awaited renovation of the Lisbon School Department’s track and field. Among guests were representatives of the project contractors, John Cornish, the owner of Maine Tennis and Track, and Bob Walton of Labbe Construction, also a Lisbon High School graduate.

Lisbon voters approved a $500,000 bond at the polls June 10 by a close vote of 943-913. They also approved a $5.7 million bond for construction of a school gymnasium, which is still in the design phase and expected to go out to bid in a couple months.

Green acknowledged members of the Lisbon School Committee for their role in providing the direction, guidance and support throughout the process, and thanked the citizens of Lisbon for their support of the track renovation project.

“What seemed like an impossible dream will start to become a reality today,” Green said.

He recognized the commitment that Lisbon residents have made to the school department and so it is their goal to “make sure that you see a return on the investment.”

According to Green, there were many citizens in the community who were not “quiet” throughout the early stages of the track project and bond referendum. Many people worked to make sure everyone was aware of the importance of the track project he said, and for this he showed gratitude on behalf of the school department.

Green acknowledged two individuals in particular who were very involved and vocal. Dean Willey, a parent, was actively involved over the last year, and managed to fund and organize a private campaign to support this renovation project. Secondly, Coach Dean Hall, who has called the track home for many years, was involved with the track campaign since its inception.

“Many young lives have been impacted as a result of Mr. Hall’s influence and there was probably nobody more anxious than him to get this project started,” the release stated.

Thus Green passed the ceremonial shovel to Hall to break ground. This ceremonial shovel and sample of soil will be placed on display in the new Lisbon High School gymnasium that is scheduled to begin construction in the next few months.

“This was a long time coming,” Hall said, who has been the school’s track coach since 1979. He credited Willey for “grabbing onto this where everybody else said it couldn’t be done. He’s the one who really pushed this.”

“It was people concerned that their kids have to track practice on something that is totally inferior, and that they can’t have home games and we have to travel, constantly,” Hall said, that finally pushed the track project forward. “And that we had all kinds of accomplishments, all kinds of different championships over the last few years,” including winning conference championships in boys and girls track and field. The school has a successful program, “but it’s a shame that we can’t showcase it at home.”

The school used to have many meets on the stone dust track built in the ’70s, which was then revolutionary but can cause shin splints and rocks can come loose. Hopefully complete by next spring there will be a fenced in, new six lane, all weather track. There will be jumping areas and the throwing area also will be re-done. Some of the football games will be moved to allow for completion of the track.

The program now has more than 65 kids, “so this will just add to it.” Monday, Hall said, “Half of them are here, past, present and future.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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