New Track Beckons Fleet-Footed Farmingdalers

Farmingdalers of all varieties have hit the ground running and walking at the newly renovated track at Farmingdale High School. From varsity track athletes to fitness fanatics to peppy seniors, the facility has attracted scores of residents to its resilient surface, crisp lane lines and well-measured distances, at almost any hour. From the earliest morning hours, to well into darkness, the community is making good use of this new, open to the public resource and those residents who have not yet seen the facility are urged to take a look and give it a try.

Ready, Set, Go..As School Board President Anthony Vitale cut the red ribbon, he was joined by (left to right): track coaches Walter Henning and Edward Papo; Farmingdale Friend of Athletics (FFOL) Frank Nocerino; track contractor Mike Ryan; athletic Director Tom Howard; Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr. and William Fanning, superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent, respectively; High School Principal Bob Lewis and AP Donna Stanza; Edward Cullen, director of operations and Frank Martin, former director of operations; board member Josephine Macchia, Josephine Hendrickson, assistant director of operations; board member Robert R. Guarino; Bill Treubig of FFOL; track coaches Anthony Eason and Katie Dunn, and board member Dolores Saxton.

Official ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held last week, as Farmingdale High School hosted the Division I Track Meet, where outstanding high school athletes from East Meadow, Valley Stream, Plainview, Baldwin and Farmingdale competed for top honors before an appreciative crowd of sports fans. The Boys' team swept the competition, winning the championship, while the Girls took the bronze. They now move on to the county championship.

The track is available to residents at all times, except during meets. The facility opens at 7 a.m. and closes one half hour after darkness, which varies according to the season. Community usage is not limited during team practices; teams use the inner lanes and runners, walkers and joggers are invited to use the outside lanes.

"It is wonderful that so many Farmingdale residents have already started taking advantage of all this newly renovated track has to offer," said Tom Howard, who heads the District's physical education and athletics department. "We stress the importance of healthy lifestyles in our curriculum," he added. "That includes adequate exercise levels and this facility gives lots of people the opportunity to fulfill that requirement and will make for a healthier community all-around."

The track is the first in a series of major field renovation to be totally completed following approval by voters of a proposition two years ago. Other projects include the Farmingdale High School football field and several elementary school playgrounds and surrounding areas.