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KENNEBUNK, Maine — A beneficiant donation from a neighborhood basis has put RSU 21 excessive in its fundraising efforts for the development of the new athletic advanced at Kennebunk Excessive College.
Contemporary from its annual whiffle ball competitors on July 30, The Tommy McNamara Charitable Basis (TMCF) lately introduced that it’s donating $75,000 to the undertaking – an quantity that has helped the college district’s Capital Marketing campaign Committee meet its fundraising aim of $250,000.
Deb Dutton, a member of the committee, mentioned the muse’s contribution as soon as once more demonstrates its dedication to “enhancing youth sports activities and recreation in our group.”
“Their management reward to the athletic advanced is emblematic of their highly effective mission,” Dutton mentioned earlier this week. “We’re extremely grateful for his or her partnership and help, placing us over our aim of $250,000.”
On Monday, Tom McNamara, the muse’s founder and president, mentioned he and his group are “actually excited” to be part of the undertaking to construct the brand new advanced at the highschool.
“There’s an enormous want for discipline upgrades on this city, and I’m completely happy to be a small a part of the hassle,” he mentioned.
McNamara and his spouse, Annie, began the muse 9 years in the past to pay tribute to their son, Tommy, who died in 2012 on the age of 25. The group’s mission is to “increase funds to develop and keep high quality leisure and sports activities amenities for the enjoyment of the youth of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport group,” in keeping with its web site. The annual whiffle ball match – performed every summer season on the park in Decrease Village – is the group’s signature occasion. Sports activities and recreation have been Tommy’s ardour, his father mentioned.
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This newest donation makes roughly $600,000 that the muse has contributed to the group since its inception, in keeping with McNamara, who expressed gratitude to native donors, retailers and sponsors who’ve contributed to fundraising efforts through the years.
“We’ve been very lucky,” McNamara mentioned.
Constuction of recent KHS athletic advanced underway
The varsity district broke floor on the brand new athletic advanced in June. The district has a building timeline and different undertaking particulars on its web site.
RSU 21 College Board Chair Artwork LeBlanc mentioned he and RSU 21 Operations Director Richard Terwilliger lately toured the location.
“We’re happy to say that the development is on schedule,” LeBlanc mentioned.
The athletic discipline had been in disrepair for years, needing a brand new monitor and new bleachers, lights and extra. The corporate that the district employed for the undertaking – Heimlich Panorama and Building, of Woburn, Massachusetts – is in its eighth week of labor.
“Heimlich Panorama and Building is making quick work of this undertaking,” Terwilliger mentioned.
The corporate has eliminated the sector’s 60-year-old bleachers and its press field and broken monitor, in keeping with Terwilliger. Crews even have eliminated outdated sod from the soccer discipline in addition to outdated lights and drainage that have been not usable. As nicely, they’ve eliminated some bushes to make room for the advanced’s enlargement.
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Such efforts are serving to to “make approach” for a brand new six-lane monitor and eight dash lanes and a right-size synthetic discipline that may accommodate all college sports activities applications. Additionally they make approach for the brand new bleachers, press field and LED lights, in keeping with Terwilliger.
Drainage work continues, Terwilliger added, and efforts to take away tree stumps and different particles do too. Current loam is also being screened for use on the advanced’s new follow discipline. As nicely, crews are at present working electrical energy and digging footers for brand new gentle poles.
Courses is not going to be the one factor that begins in September – in keeping with Terwilliger, that’s when the set up of the brand new synthetic discipline will begin too.
“The RSU 21 amenities staff is absolutely engaged in a undertaking that was lengthy overdue,” Terwilliger mentioned. “This athletic advanced will likely be an awesome place for all our college students, our group and all guests to take pleasure in.”
New athletic advanced to be accomplished by 2023
The varsity board was first launched with the idea of the brand new athletic advanced in 2020, however the efforts to deal with security and different issues on the web site started years earlier. In 2015, as an illustration, the district put $250,000 into its capital reserve to renovate the monitor – a sum that voters permitted to be used earlier this yr.
The overall value of the undertaking is estimated at a bit greater than $4.three million, with 10% contingency funding included. The contingency – constructed into the price range permitted partly in Could – has been put in place to cowl a price overrun, ought to one happen, in keeping with LeBlanc.
The funding for the undertaking consists of $2.eight million from the district’s unallocated fund steadiness. In October 2020, the board dedicated $1.25 million of the district’s remaining building funds to the undertaking.
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As for the fundraising side, the Capital Marketing campaign Committee had raised about $170,000, as of June, LeBlanc reported on the time. This week, LeBlanc and fellow College Board member Erin Nedeau each expressed appreciation for The Tommy McNamara Charitable Basis for the contribution that helped put the committee throughout its fundraising end line.
Nedeau known as the muse’s donation “beneficiant” and famous the group’s deep roots within the Kennebunks and its dedication to supporting athletics and amenities locally.
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LeBlanc spoke to the contributions of each the muse and so many others that helped RSU 21 attain its fundraising aim for the undertaking.
“This extremely beneficiant reward joins others who’ve helped to make this facility grow to be a actuality,” LeBlanc mentioned.
Building of a brand new athletic advanced was not an possibility, because the one in place for years had deteriorated and will not function host for monitor meets and different athletic occasions, “even some dwelling playoff video games,” LeBlanc added.
“With the help of TMCF and your complete group, we stay up for celebrating the completion of an athletic advanced that gives amenities for all discipline sports activities with seating that’s accessible to everybody,” LeBlanc mentioned.
The district is aiming to finish the advanced, new monitor and all, by the spring of 2023.
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