By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Despite the closure of the Presque Isle Indoor Pool, the swimming program at Presque Isle High School is staying afloat.
“I’m very pleased to tell you that the swim program at PIHS — despite losing the indoor pool — is alive, healthy and moving forward,” SAD 1 Athletic Director Mark White told members of the school board last Wednesday night. “SAD 1 is going to continue its relationship with the University of Maine at Presque Isle in helping to share facilities. They know — and have agreed — that we’ll still have time — usually after school — for practices.”
The varsity swim team had previously held its practices and competitions at the indoor pool.
“Now, if our opponent is a smaller team, we feel confident that we can have swim meets at UMPI’s Gentile Hall,” said White. “I’ve been speaking with the athletic administrator at Limestone Community School where they have an indoor pool, and if we get a larger school coming in, they’ve agreed that they’ll work with us to be able to host our meets.”
White said his office has received a few telephone calls inquiring about the future of the varsity swimming program.
“There’s been a lot of talk going around about whether we will or won’t have a program,” he said. “We have a program, we’re moving forward, and the Penobscot Valley Conference, which we’re a member of, has been notified that we plan to be on the schedule for years to come. We’re looking forward to next swim season.”
