By Mary Owen
The Regis High School 40-year-old track needs a facelift.
“It was reconfigured and resurfaced in 1995, and the community gave generously to that. Now it’s worn out again, and we’re hoping the community will get behind us once again,” said Mike Bauer, Regis track and cross country coach and counselor.
Bauer said the Regis philosophy is to make the track available to Regis and St. Mary students, community organizations and Stayton residents.
“The YMCA uses it for their track program, the Stayton Roadrunners, Stayton Relay for Life, Boy Scouts, Special Olympics, junior highs in the area … and we host several meets a year, including the Regis Invitational,” he said.
Bauer said the Regis School Board decided to raise money for a new track.
“We want something we can host championship meets on,” he said. “We want to have it available to the community and provide the students of Regis and St. Mary a track they can be proud of.”
To inform prospective donors, the Regis Track Project committee commissioned Mona Jaeger to produce a video, that was shown and distributed at the Regis auction.
On tape, Debi Bryant affirmed Bauer’s comments about community use by saying, “There’s a group of women who get out there at 5 o’clock every morning and have been doing it for years.”
“Use of the facility has literally saved our relay thousands of dollars,” said Sue Harteloo, chair of Stayton Relay for Life. “It has helped us put that money into patient services and research.”
Bauer said the video, which is filled with supportive comments and information, will be used in seeking grants from foundations.
The video will be distributed to Regis alumni more for support than possible funding, Bauer said.
“I just want to establish contact with them, to let them know what a resource the track is to the community and get their feedback,” he said. “We hope to bring people together to support the project.”
To date, Regis has raised $46,000 plus in-kind donations for the high jump approach and shot put areas, Bauer said, adding he expects the total project to cost between $150,000 and $200,000.
“The track was the fund item at this year’s auction and over $46,000 was raised in about 10 minutes,” he said. “This really speaks to the generosity and support of the Regis community. The second phase will be looking for grant possibilities and for organizations that want to step in and help enhance the
community.”
Bauer said progress has been made. The Oregon State Bridge Co. with Rick Silbernagel, Craig Gries (took second in state in javelin as a Regis senior) and Jim Gries got the project underway by excavating the new high jump area and removing material and debris from the old shot put areas.
“Ron Bochsler, Bill Lulay and crews, many who were Regis parents or graduates, from North Santiam Paving rocked and paved the new high jump area,” he added.
Track programs, Bauer and others agree, create strong life skills in those who participate. Jaclyn Espinoza, a 2006 Regis graduate, made it to nationals all four years at Notre Dame. Her prowess at Regis got her a scholarship to the prestigious university.
Bauer and others agree safety is paramount if the Regis track is to offer other runners a chance at bettering their health and their lives.
“My dream would be that other families would get to have the same wonderful experience that my family did on the Regis track,” Regis principal Joni Gillis said.
For information or to donate to the Regis Track Project, contact Bauer at 503-769-2159.
