Fred Palmer, president of the Tri-Town Track and Field Project, announced in a press release this week that Nike has pledged a $1 million donation toward the construction of an outdoor, all-weather, eight-lane track and turf field planned for Freeport High School.

The gift, contingent upon the Tri-Town Track and Field Project raising an additional $2.2 million, makes Nike a key donor in a project whose mission is to privately raise funds to build the sports complex at Freeport.

The project is a not-for-profit organization made up of members of the Durham, Freeport and Pownal communities, all of which are part of Regional School Unit 5. The organization was created by local residents after past efforts to build the track and field through a local bond issue were unsuccessful.

The project board approached Nike in December with the idea to name the track for marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson. Samuelson, a Freeport resident, has been actively engaged in discussions about the proposed project as an honorary member of the fundraising group.

The board unanimously agreed to approach Samuelson and Nike with the donation and naming request. The project board also intends to use Nike Grind — material made from Nike’s footwear manufacturing scrap — for the track and turf field infill.

“We are thrilled with this gift and greatly appreciative of Nike’s generosity,” Palmer said in the release. “It is a recognition both of the importance of Joan to the world of sports, and in particular to young women. She is a true icon in the world of long-distance running. Joan is also a widely respected member of the Freeport community. In addition to her accomplishments in athletics, she has been an active leader in a wide variety of charitable activities throughout Maine. Nike’s extraordinary initiative will help us provide a first-class facility at Freeport High School, which will help all kids and adults in the community be healthier and will help us to recognize Joan’s athletic success and community leadership.”

In 1984, Samuelson won the gold medal in the first women’s marathon at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. She maintains a strong presence in the sport of distance running, both as a competitor and as a champion for young athletes.

“The total cost of the track and field project is estimated to be $3.2 million,” Palmer said. “This pledge by Nike, along with other pledges and gifts to date, and with funds available to the RSU in the high school renovation bond passed in 2013, put us almost two-thirds of the way toward our total goal. We are very pleased and look forward to making this new facility available to the students at Freeport High School and the larger community.”

Remember when in 1984

• IN 1984, Joan Benoit Samuelson, a Freeport resident, won the gold medal in the first women’s marathon at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu