Congratulations to the people of Gloucester. The combined efforts of the Police Department, led by Lt. Joe Aiello, Mark Cole and his Public Works crew, Harbormaster Jim Caulkett, the Coast Guard and local lifeguards. Richie Martin, who worked so hard on the swim, Janda Ricci-Munn, Mayor Kirk, and Ron Ross who coordinated the hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers made the first Gloucester Triathlon a huge success for the city and the athletes. Everyone went above and beyond. It shows what can happen when everyone pulls together and makes something positive happen.
Although some people along the route were inconvenienced, they were good sports and lined the streets cheering on the athletes. That is what this city is about; the triathlon was an event as well as a fundraiser.
The Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association was formed three years ago with its mission being to help offset user fees in sports. Thus far over $100,000 has been given out, resulting in a significant help for our student athletes. The GFAA also provided a new infield at Nate Ross baseball field, made the tennis courts at the high school playable for the tennis team and the public, contributed to a new infield at Parisi Field and funded some materials needed for Chris Donato of Bass Rocks Golf Club, who volunteered his time and equipment, to seed and fertilize new grass at Newell Stadium.
We plan to hold another Triathlon next summer. It was a huge success for the city as well as the GFAA. Our major fund raising to date involved offering memberships for $50 a year. We currently have 275 members, a small number considering the thousands of people who participated (at no cost) in athletics in Gloucester. We would like to further reduce user fees as well as improve facilities. Newell Stadium desperately needs new stands and our outstanding track teams cannot use the track. It is an embarrassment to the city. If we could get 1,000 members to join, Newell Stadium could become a real jewel again.
Look at our website www.thegfaa.org, send a check to GFAA, P. O. Box 3010, Gloucester, Mass 01930 to join; we need a steady flow of annual income both from memberships and events in order to rehab Newell Stadium, repair Talbot Rink, help maintain fields and have an impact on user fees.
The success of the triathlon and the thousands of spectators who cheered them on demonstrated that Gloucester has much to be proud of. Let’s continue to think positively and collectively make more good things happen.
