This weekend was the national 24-hour Relay for Life event benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Every year this event brings out the good in hundreds of thousands of people who choose to spend their well-earned weekend staying up all night walking to raise money for a great cause. For south Everett, the event raised over $93,000 and was held, like all years, at Cascade High School. Though sunshine was at a premium, community spirit was high and the vibe of the event was festival-like on Saturday.
Unfortunately, sometime late in the night the rain set in and proceeded to pour on the track for seven hours until the morning, creating puddles and mud on the track for the groups to trudge through while breaking camp. This type of event shows how a good weather-resistant track transcends high school sports. The Relay for Life event is just one of many intangible benefits reaped by a community.
The intersection of the Relay for Life, the rain, the discussion about the condition of the Cascade track, and the proposed $23 million administration campus provides an interesting angle to the district’s fund use.
While I fully support a new administration complex, I am disappointed that the district has not placed the track at Cascade on the same level of importance. In The Herald article, Facilities Director Mike Gunn mentions the new administration complex could be built and open by summer 2013, just two years from now. Where is the commitment from the administration and board for a timeline on the track? Why can’t this be added in two years or less?
The district has already admitted funds are available now for tracks at both Cascade and Jackson. I understand there are always extenuating factors that can lead to delays, but in this case it’s difficult to curb my frustration. Our students, schools and community deserve better.
Carl Shipley
Everett
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