Proponents of an artificial turf field and eight-lane track in back of Freeport High School are in the early stages of strategizing, but they don’t have the luxury of time.

By late this summer, the Freeport High School Building Advisory Committee needs to know if $600,000 in high school renovations funds should be used as intended to rebuild the grass fields, or as a significant part of the funding for an artificial turf field and track, estimated to cost $2.3 million to $3 million. And because time is short, precluding long fundraising campaigns, organizers also must identify at least one major donor. L.L. Bean, for that reason, has been brought into the conversation.

It’s the fourth time around for backers of a turf field and track at Freeport High School. The first three attempts to build a synthetic turf field and track at Freeport High all would have involved Regional School Unit 5 money, and all failed public votes, though Freeport residents backed it each time. Craig Sickels, athletic administrator at the school, led the first drive in 2011, which had a $2.9 million price tag.

Subsequently, the turf field and track project was attached to the high school renovation, which started out as a $17 million project. RSU 5 residents rejected the first high school renovation, then backed the $14.6 million plan that is in the planning stages. But both times, they rejected the accompanying field and track project, which was listed on the ballot as a separate article.

The track and field would be located behind the school. Backers of the project are hoping they can use the $600,000 meant to repair the grass fields, which would leave another $1.7 million to $2 million to be raised. Brian Campbell, school principal, has spoken with L.L. Bean representatives, trying to bring the company on board.

“I’ve had many conversations with them,” Campbell said on May 12, as the group met for the first time in the high school library. “We’re trying to encourage them to be the leading gifter.”

Mac McKeever, an L.L. Bean spokesman, said last Wednesday that the company has had a preliminary meeting with representatives from Freeport High School and the school district and will be reviewing any proposal they produce.

“We did review a similar proposal a few years ago,” McKeever said. “At that time, we prioritized our charitable giving in recognition of our 100th anniversary and made a significant donation to the Freeport fields and trail project on Hunter Road. We have many proposals pending that are currently being reviewed. Our funding cycle takes place over the course of a year and sometimes longer.”

Campbell said he also has been in touch with another company that donates to such projects, but did not identify that company’s name.

About 40 people attended the May 12 meeting, led by a professional facilitator, Lesa Andreasen. She charted pros and cons regarding a turf field and track, and there were plenty on both sides. But if the proposal is to move, its backers are keenly aware of one thing: There is a pressing time element.

John Simoneau of Durham, chairman of the Freeport High School Building Advisory Committee, said that the committee needs to know soon if the $600,000 is going toward its original intention – repairing the grass fields. If the committee believes the proponents of a turf field and track have a viable package in terms of funding, it might recommend to the school board that the $600,000 be allocated for that, rather than repair of the grass fields, which would start in August or September. The RSU 5 board makes the final decision.

“We need to know before the renovation project goes out to bid, by August or September,” Simoneau said.

Pat Palmer, one of the organizers of the effort and a former Freeport High principal, acknowledged that the group must move quickly.

“Time is of the essence,” she said. “There’s $600,000 in the renovation budget for renovation of the fields, and if that happens, there’s no going back. If we’re going to do something different, we really need to do that now.”

Palmer’s husband, Fred Palmer, concurred.

“I think now we have the opportunity to leverage that $600,000,” he said. “These fields support 15 teams in the fall and spring. The fields are in constant use, and they don’t recover.”

The turf field and track would be located between the high school and Morse Street School. The parcel now serves as a soccer field in the fall and a lacrosse field in the spring. The softball field juts out in a corner, and would be moved to another location if the turf field and track were built. The new field would be used for football – now played on the Pownal Road Field – as well as lacrosse, soccer and field hockey.

Freeport holds its outdoor track meets and practices at Bowdoin College.

Once the May 12 meeting began, Andreasen was able to quickly list the pros and cons from the audience.

Among the pros of a turf field and track:

•It would be good for the economy, as Freeport High would be able to host track meets and perhaps postseason events in other sports.

•The field would allow for more usage.

•The field and track would accomplish student retention.

•The synthetic field would reduce injuries.

•Maintenance costs would decrease.

•The facility would be used for wellness programs, both for the students and the community at-large.

•Lights around the facility would allow for night sporting events.

Among the cons:

•The cost.

•Neighborhood concerns with the noise and light emanating from night sporting events.

•Too much emphasis on sports.

•The safety of synthetic turf.

•The significant capital outlay for replacement of the turf in 15 years.

•The perception that it would be a Freeport field.

•The moving of the football field from Pownal Road.

Once Andreasen had taken down all those comments, Jon Morris, a member of the Board of Selectmen in Pownal, raised an overriding question.

“Can we raise $2 million?” Morris asked. “That’s really the elephant in the room here.”

Craig Sickels, athletic administrator at Freeport High School, stands in front of the field used for soccer and lacrosse, and, in back, softball. A group of people is hoping to raise money for a synthetic turf field to go there. The softball field would be relocated.Staff photo by Larry Grard

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