📰BIDDEFORD | OPINION | I Support Allocating Recreation Bond Funds to Repair the Community Center
- 19 hours ago
- 3 min read
“The community center, long neglected with a band-aid approach, is the true Jewel of Biddeford.. I think it's time to really give this building the TLC it deserves…”
February 22, 2026, Below is an op-ed that we received from Biddeford resident Diane Cyr pertaining to the discussion of which projects city leaders should prioritize when allocating the recreational bond funds approved by voters in the November 2025 election.
REMINDER - In addition to submitting op-eds, residents can provide feedback about the recreation bond spending by completing the survey provided by the city at - http://www.biddefordmaine.org/recbondsurvey
Diane’s op-ed reads:
“Personal thoughts here. I was at the meeting [City Council meeting that took place on 2/17/26] and I spoke although it causes me extreme stress.
I chose the skate park as second not first and advocated for the J. Richard Martin Community Center to be first. "Why" you might ask? Well, the reason is simple.
This building and what is done in there involves every sector of our great city. The youth, the elderly, students, veterans, those in need, new members and immigrants, the schools, and so many others. It houses nonprofits who give so much to the city in the way of free services, scholarships, education, feeding the elderly, preserving our history, and more. There are other organizations served there like the Alcoholics Anonymous groups, arts and dance, general public. There is no other place in the whole city that does all of this and encompasses all of our people.
The community center, long neglected with a band aide approach, is the true "Jewel of Biddeford." It may not be "downtown or Main Street," and for some reason is not in the "historic district" of the City, but neither is it a seasonal only area, neither is it restrictive to those who do sports, are young, skate, etc. It covers all sectors and aspects of our community, and is in itself a treasured part of our great city.
There is history there, there is community, there is diversity, and yet, it's disregarded and has been for a long time. The building could not be replaced.
So, while the skate park was my second survey choice, and the ice rink was my third for the very reasons stated at the meeting, our teenagers need a place of their own, I think it's time to really give this building the TLC it deserves.
I do think the skate park people got a raw deal. I put it second because it's important to include our youth, especially teenagers who have very little in the way of public recreation that is free, but I still feel this building takes priority as it covers and welcomes all of us. I will also say that some of us older people, many of who voted to keep the Community Center despite what some wished, were not brought up in the time of computers and zoom and many I know were watching the live council meeting online without coming in, but remember, these are the same people who voted to keep the J. Richard Martin Community Center and repair it. That has to count for something even if it doesn't make the news according to who attended the meeting last night.”
—Diane Cyr currently resides in Biddeford and serves as the President of the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center.
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