On June 23, the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS® (GPBR), along with numerous stakeholders and community leaders, hosted a ribbon cutting to mark the official opening and completion of the shade pavilion at the popular pump track near Gorham Middle School at 141 Weeks Road. GPBR donated over $16,500 to the Town of Gorham for the construction of the project.
The first question some might have is, “what is a pump track?” A pump track is a bit like an obstacle course for bikes, with rolling bumps and banked turns. Riders generate momentum by shifting their body weight. Pump tracks are designed for bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades. (Google search).
The shade pavillion offers essential shelter for riders, families, and spectators in all weather conditions, encouraging greater outdoor recreation and community use. The funds included a $7,500 placemaking grant from the National Association of REALTORS® and matching donations from local realtors.
Spokesperson for the GPBR was Aaron Chadbourne of Demetria Realty and former president and board member of the Gorham Times.
The event was kicked off by Cindy Hazelton introducing Town of Gorham staff present, and several others. She talked a bit about the attractions of the area, the importance of the pump track as an attraction, and trail enhancements. She mentioned a Gorham volunteer, Chris Cyr, who prompted the town to add something for “the littles,” who now have their own little nature trails for little bikers. She said, “you can come out here any day, any time, any season, and you’re going to find somebody out here. You’re going to find they’re not all from Gorham,” adding that it launched several other things like the trail enhancements and things for all ages.
Hazelton then turned the microphone over to Chadbourne to address the crowd, who told how the project came about. He said the GPBR was looking for a Greater Portland project to fund and asked fellow realtor and Gorham Town Councilor, David Willis, if there were any projects in Gorham that would “get left on the cutting room floor if not funded without the help of some private match.”
They identified the project, found a grant, and then challenged the real estate companies that market Gorham to double the grant.
Chadbourne said, “I just want to say, ‘thank you, colleagues.’ He added, “my copetitors, my friends, my associates got $16,000 ready to help defray the cost from the Gorham taxpayer, so we’re very excited to have been a part of finding this project and to making it happen.”
Chadbourne said, “I think it’s a great example of how realtors can get involved in the commuity and how private philanthropy and private sponsorship can help real public spaces come to life,” adding, “it is an exciting part that says who realtors are and what we do.”
Site work for the project was done by Gorham Public Works. Funding for the Pavillion was by the Town of Gorham through the capital budget.
The following companies, many with offices in Gorham, were among the sponsors: Cates Real Estate, Century 21 First Choice Realty, Demetria Real Estate, Dream Home Realty, Elevate Maine Realty, King + Miller Real Estate, Maine Real Estate Experts, Plowman Realty Group, PoGo Realty, The Maine Real Estate Group, and Willis Real Estate.