Group seeks to build walking track for Relay for Life event

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Scott County Relay for Life has a group with a proven track record working to make next year's event a little smoother.

The idea is to build an asphalt walking track on the north side of the YMCA of Southeast Missouri's building where the annual event was held for the past three years.

Tom Austin of Sikeston said that as his wife is a cancer survivor, "I very much appreciate the Relay for Life event."

Naturally, the victory lap cancer survivors take during the Relay for Life is a celebration that Austin finds meaningful -- but that is much easier for some survivors than others.

"Some of these senior citizens who have been victorious over cancer don't get around so well. Some are using canes, some are using walkers, some are in wheelchairs," he said. "It needs to be a positive event."

Having the sure footing provided by a paved track there, Austin reasoned, would make the event easier and safer than walking around in a grassy lot. He isn't the only one who feels that way.

"I definitely think it's a good idea to have a paved track of some sort rather than the bare ground; it makes it more even to walk on," said Samantha Jarrett, chairwoman for the Scott County Relay for Life. "Some people will walk all night. There have been some Relays where people walk or run the entire time."

Additionally, the YMCA officials have already discussed how an outdoor walking track at the YMCA would be a great addition.

"Last year sometime our property committee was charged with the task of coming up with some potential uses for the north property and the idea that we liked the best was making it into a small park area with a walking track and a pavilion," said Jeff Partridge, executive director of the YMCA of Southeast Missouri. "That being said, we don't have the excess funds to do it right now so it was something we put on the back burner for when funds were available to pursue."

Austin approached Partridge with a plan to make that happen sooner rather than later by recruiting some old friends: Firebase Sikeston.

Firebase Sikeston is "a group of volunteers who came together in 1991 to bring the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall to Sikeston," Austin said. "They are a terrific bunch of people to work with -- I think they are dedicated, recognize a worthwhile project when they see one and will see it through to fruition."

When the city sponsored the return of The Moving Wall to Sikeston in 2010, "they turned over the grunt work to Firebase Sikeston and Firebase Sikeston came through again," he said. "But this particular project is not about Firebase Sikeston, the project is about the survivors of cancer. We're going to raise, we hope, the majority of the funds needed to complete the project."

Austin said they are ready to begin fundraising efforts and hope the project will get the community's support.

"We have one fundraiser folks in Commerce are putting together: they are going to sell Boston butts," he said. "It will be held in the middle of August. That will be the big fundraiser."

The cost to put in a walking track of roughly a quarter mile in length around the outdoor basketball court is estimated to be around $15,000 to $20,000.

"That will pay for the materials and installation of the walkway itself," Austin said. "It will be a permanent track."

Some may ask why Relay for Life doesn't simply use one of the area's paved walking tracks -- the half-mile loop around the lake at the Sports Complex, for instance.

Austin said it is all about the survivor's walk.

"While many can go longer distances, for some the struggle has been a little tougher or they have other health issues. A shorter track will be more suitable for the event," he said.

Also, having tried several locations over the years, Relay for Life officials find the YMCA location to be their favorite.

"It has been a great location for us: it is more centrally located in town, more people see it so they know it's going on -- it's been a lot better," Jarrett said.

While Relay for Life would only use it once a year, Partridge said he believes they wouldn't be the only ones to appreciate the trail -- especially when the weather is nice.

"I think it will be used a lot by neighborhood people, too -- it will not be just for YMCA members," he said.

"It's centrally located in the community, so a lot of people could use it," Austin said.

Having put the word out, Austin is hoping for the best.

"We're looking for donations," he said. "We're not looking for just a few large donations: We'll accept whatever people want to give us."

Donations may be sent to: Firebase Sikeston RFL, 7 Woodhaven Drive, Sikeston, MO 63801.