A contract is under negotiation to have Freeport High School's track team use Bowdoin's track facilities. If it is approved, the new team would have access to the College's indoor and outdoor tracks for practices and to host meets. In exchange, the College will receive a $300,000 gift from Nike.
"It is very important to me that Bowdoin be a good neighbor. As such, we do allow area schools and community groups to use our facilities as long as it doesn't affect the use by Bowdoin students and staff," Director of Athletics Jeff Ward said.
Nike pledged the $300,000 to Freeport to build a track facility in honor of Bowdoin graduate Joan Benoit Samuelson '79. Samuelson, a Freeport resident, represents Nike. She won the first Olympic Gold medal in the women's marathon at the 1984 Olympics.
The Nike donation would only cover the cost of building the track itself. Freeport would then have to raise money to purchase the land and pay for bleachers, bathrooms, and other accommodations.
Freeport High School Athletic Director Craig Sickels said that the cost of building the track would amount to $1 million.
"I certainly would have liked the facility on campus," said Sickels, "but due to the logistics and the price tag [of the project, it would be best at Bowdoin]."
College officials said Bowdoin's outdoor track is in need of improvement. The 30-year-old track has not been resurfaced in about 20 years, leading to worn spots on the track.
"After a conversation with Joan, it became clear that [Bowdoin] could work together for everyone's benefit," said Ward.
Samuelson, a College trustee, suggested Freeport use Bowdoin's facilities in exchange for Bowdoin's usage of the Nike donation to improve its track facilities.
"It's a win-win situation for everyone," Associate Director of Athletics and Assistant Coach of Track and Field Lynn Ruddy said.
"Nike is provided with an opportunity to honor Joan and to support youth track. Freeport is provided with a place for their track team to run. Bowdoin is provided with the funds to do a much needed, major renovation of our facility," Ward said.
Without a track facility, the newly formed track team, which currently consists of approximately 10 students, would have to practice on the streets or indoors.
"I think it's great if we are able to share our facilities. It's really important for high school athletes to have a quality track to work out on, because training on a sub-par surface can contribute to overuse injuries," said track team member Ellen Beth '05.
"I hope [the agreement] continues the relationship we have academically with Bowdoin," Sickels said.
Several Freeport students who qualify take classes at Bowdoin.
"This is truly a partnership that is [both] non-athletic and athletic as well," said Sickels.
If the contract is signed the improvements would widen the track, improve the track's surface, and repair high jump equipment.
The athletic directors do not expect that the agreement will cause a conflict with Bowdoin athletics.
"I expect no impact on Bowdoin students, staff, or faculty," Ward said.
Freeport students will only use the facilities when they are not in use by Bowdoin. The College's practices begin around 4:30 p.m., whereas the high school students get out of school at least an hour before this time.
"I would envision Freeport to be on and off the track by the time we get there," Associate Director of Athletics and Women's Soccer Coach John Cullen said.
"We're not losing anything," said Ruddy.
Ruddy said that when members outside of the College community use the facilities, there are concerns about supervision and theft. For this reason, Bowdoin limits the number of people who enter the building. Teams who will use the College's facilities have to be supervised, usually by their coach, in order to practice on the track.
The outdoor track still has hours where it is largely unoccupied, such as between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., when it is open to students, faculties, and other members of the Bowdoin community.
The sports teams will continue to keep their practice times and remain undisturbed by the high school runners, who must be off the track by the time Bowdoin track teams have practice.
"There is not a time [or] date conflict that can't be resolved if it is given in advance," said Cullen. The College's athletic department knows the track team schedule nearly a year in advance.
Freeport will not be the first team to use the track facilities. Several high schools use the track facilities during winter break, and Morse High School and Mt. Ararat High School currently use the facilities.
High school students use other athletic facilities on campus as well. Two high schools use the hockey rink and swimming pool.
Some say that the sharing of facilities creates a relationship between the College and community.
"I think its important for Bowdoin to maintain good relations with the surrounding communities, and I'm sure that there are a lot of talented athletes in Freeport who could benefit from using a good track here," Beth said.
Freeport's lawyers are considering the contract, which is on the school board's agenda for final approval on November 22.