Town Council, School Board agree
to name new artificial turf 'Hannaford Field'
The Town Council and the School Board have approved an agreement to name
the new artificial turf field planned for installation at the High School
this spring as "Hannaford Field."
The agreement serves the dual purpose of acknowledging a major donor to the
field, as well as honoring a family that is a part of Cape Elizabeth history.
"This evening we have before us a proposed agreement which would restore
the Hannaford name to one of the original Hannaford farms," said Town Council
Chairman Paul McKenney as he introduced the proposed agreement Dec. 11.
Hannaford Bros., now based in Scarborough, was recognized as a major contributor
to the artificial-turf field planned to replace the existing soccer field
located behind Cape Elizabeth High School. The property, McKenney said, was
once the site of Hannaford family farm land, as was parts of the present-day
Purpoodock Club; property near Hannaford Cove Road; and, most of the school
complex.
KidsTurf, (http://www.kidsturf.org),
the citizen organization taking on the fund-raising effort, met their goal
of collecting $650,000 in pledges for the first phase of construction, but
McKenney said that goal would not have been achieved without the support
from Hannaford's.
"Had it not been for them stepping forward, I don't think we would have a
turf field to be discussing this evening," McKenney said.
The council unanimously voted to approve the agreement pending approval by
the School Board. That board also granted unanimous approval Dec. 12.
Two School Board members, however, said they were uncomfortable voting on
corporate sponsorship of a school property without having a governing policy
in place.
Rebecca Millett, a member of the board, said she did not know of the naming
rights agreement until 2 p.m. Dec. 12, and that she believed the board was
being asked to make quick decisions without full information. "But my main
concern," she said, "is that we are going down a path before policy has been
set."
School Board member Karen Burke also said she advocated developing a district
policy to address corporate naming of school property.
The night before, Town Council Cynthia Dill had moved the item be tabled
to allow time for a School Board vote, and for other councilors to study
the facts. Instead, councilors voted to approve the agreement on condition
that the School Board vote for approval as well.
Hannaford has also arranged for the donation of an accompanying
state-of-the-art scoreboard bearing the name "Hannaford Field." The naming
rights agreement stipulates a $100,000 sponsorship fee, which will all go
toward the cost of field construction.
At the Dec. 11 council meeting, McKenney recognized others who had made
significant contributions toward the field, including Graham Smith, who
spearheaded a campaign to fund and install lights at the field; Rey Moulton,
a Cape graduate and long-time supporter of Cape schools; Imad Khalidi, chairman
of Portland's Auto Europe; the Kevin Brady fund; and Michael Ott, chairman
of KidsTurf, which has collected more cash and in-kind gifts from more than
600 donors. "So I wish to thank all of those who have contributed to
this effort with funding and with leadership in raising the required dollars,"
said McKenney. "And I especially wish to thank Hannaford for recognizing
its historical roots with its significant contribution," he said.
It was in 1883 that Arthur Hannaford began selling Cape Elizabeth produce
in Portland, McKenney said. He was later joined by two brothers who together
formed Hannaford Bros. in 1902. "Today the Hannaford name is known through
much of the Northeast United States with over 150 supermarkets and combination
food and drug stores serving the public," he said.
KidsTurf is continuing to raise money to fund supporting amenities in phase
2 of the project, including bleachers and a snack shack.
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