Swimmers now have the time; Campaign funds scoreboard system for PRYMCA pool

DOVER-FOXCROFT — High school and youth swimmers competing at the Piscataquis Regional YMCA will now be able to instantly see their times upon finishing.
Foxcroft Academy’s “Time for a Change” campaign raised $25,000 in three months last year to fund a new timing system and scoreboard and have the equipment in place for the start of the 2016-17 seasons. A ribbon cutting-ceremony on March 24 formally dedicated the pool adjustments — including wall markers for benefactors — and thanked the various Time for a Change sponsors.
“In my seven years at Foxcroft Academy this campaign has been my favorite,” Head of School Arnold Shorey said. “The response from local businesses, community members and alumni was truly outstanding, and as a result all expenses related to the timing system, scoreboard and the attached donor wall was offset by their generosity.
“Foxcroft Academy is extremely fortunate to have the Piscataquis Region YMCA in our community. Without it, we would have no pool to use locally and in turn, probably you would have never heard of Foxcroft Academy or the Piscataquis Regional YMCA having a competitive swim team.”
Shorey said the first Pony swim team hit the pool in 1995, and many of these athletes got their start on PRYMCA swims in the late 1980s. He said these early swimmers and those since relied on hand-held stop watches while a non-workable scoreboard hung on the wall.
The head of school said Foxcroft Academy Athletic Administrator Tim Smith commented “‘the timing system brings legitimacy to our meets’ and it does.” Shorey said the Time for a Change campaign began in August and the funds were raised in advance of December’s first high school meet.
“I just want to take a minute to thank all of you for your generosity,” Foxcroft Academy head swim coach Morgan Rublee said. “Our new timing system didn’t make us super fast swimmers, it gave us something more than that and that is pride.”
She added, “Once they get to the wall and look up and see those numbers, it really means a lot to them — instant gratification.”
PRYMCA Board of Directors Vice President Jason Brochu of Pleasant River Lumber in Dover-Foxcroft — one of the half dozen Time for Change lane sponsors — said, “Collaboration is in short supply nowadays and to have a collaboration with all of you and all those donors is why this place exists.”
Plaques were then presented to honor the lane sponsors, which include Mr. and Mrs. Chris Almy, the Foxcroft Academy board of trustees, Hardwood Products/Puritan Medical Products of Guilford, Will’s Shop ‘n Save of Dover-Foxcroft and Dr. and Mrs. Richard Swett. Recognition was also given to starting area sponsor Howard Insurance/the Dow Family.
Dr. Swett, chair of the trustees, said Foxcroft Academy offers a range of academic and athletic programs “and swimming is one of those opportunities.” He said a list of pool records on the wall indicates the variety of races and relay competitions, “so a lot of kids can participate.”
“It’s a life sport, you can start very young and continue your whole life,” Dr. Swett said. “Most importantly to me, swimming is a life-saving sport. If you can swim you can save your own life and if you can swim you can save somebody else’s life.”
Dr. Swett then joined Rublee, Brochu, Tim Dow and Will’s Shop ‘n Save owner Will Wedge to cut the ribbon.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
TIME FOR A RIBBON CUTTING — The new timing system/scoreboard for the Piscataquis Regional YMCA pool in Dover-Foxcroft was formally dedicated with a ribbon cutting on March 24. Last summer Foxcroft Academy launched the “Time For Change” campaign and in three months $25,000 was raised to have the system in place for the 2016-17 high school and youth swim seasons. Cutting the ribbon are, from left, Will’s Shop ‘n Save owner Will Wedge, one of the pool lane sponsors; PRYMCA Board of Directors Vice President Jason Brochu of Pleasant River Lumber, also a lane sponsor; Foxcroft Academy swim coach Morgan Rublee; Tim Dow of Howard Insurance and the Dow family, sponsors of the project starting area; and Foxcroft Academy Board of Trustees President Dr. Richard Swett, who along with his wife are another of the six lane sponsors.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
NOW IN REAL TIME — A new timing system/scoreboard for the Piscataquis Regional YMCA pool in Dover-Foxcroft is now in place, with the equipment operational prior to the start of the 2016-17 high school season. The needed $25,000 was raised over three months through Foxcroft Academy’s “Time for Change” campaign, and pool lane sponsors were able to cut the ribbon during a March 24 ceremony.