A group of Freeport, Durham and Pownal residents seeking to secure funding for a synthetic turf field and track to replace the grass athletic field behind Freeport High School will meet for the second time on Thursday, May 28.

The group’s Steering Committee, freshly formed two weeks ago, will conduct an organizational meeting at Freeport High School, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Fred Palmer, who with his wife, Patricia, have been instrumental in getting the concept off the ground, said that the committee will elect officers and set up subcommittees.

Freeport High School has no outdoor track, and its track team practices and has home meets at Bowdoin College. The field in back of the high school is used by varsity lacrosse teams in the spring and soccer teams in the fall, both boys and girls.

A synthetic turf field is more durable than a grass field, although it would have to be replaced in about 15 years. The cost of a turf field and new eight-lane track is estimated at $2.3 million to $3 million. Brian Campbell, a Steering Committee member and principal at Freeport High School, has had conversations with L.L. Bean and at least one other potential major donor.

“The key issue is funding,” Fred Palmer said last week. “We need community and business contributions, such as from people who move dirt. All of that goes to reduce the cost.”

Timing is another key issue, because Regional School Unit 5 has made renovation at the grass field an element in its $14.6 million renovation of the high school. The grass field renovation would cost $600,000, and the group that wants to build a turf field and a track knows it needs to leverage that money. John Simoneau of Durham, chairman of the Freeport High School Building Advisory Committee, has said the committee would like to know if the turf field/track project is a go by August or September. The committee will advise the school board as to how that $600,000 should be spent.

“The timing is good to start this now, rather than waiting until they’re digging up the field,” Palmer said. “Things like a time frame will be decided Thursday night.”

The Steering Committee also will decide Thursday night how often meetings will be held, Palmer said.

Jon Morris, a member of the Pownal Board of Selectmen, is one of 15 members of the Steering Committee.

“Representation from Durham and Pownal is critical,” Palmer said. “I know John is supportive of the project, and we’re glad to have him on board.”

Morris, a former soccer coach in the RSU 5 system, said that Freeport High needs a new synthetic turf field to be competitive.

“I have three little boys and I’m an athlete and I’m a coach,” Morris said. “The field that they have now takes a beating and really puts the kids at a disadvantage. I think they need the facility.”

Morris recalled that his junior varsity girls’ soccer team had to host a playoff game two years ago at Durham Community School, which is not a regulation varsity field.

“Let’s do it right,” he said. “If you want to be mediocre, you’re going to continue to do it the way you’re doing it. Some of the better athletes are leaving the RSU.”

Morris said that the steering committee needs parents to become involved in this project.

“We need people invested in the school system to be on board,” he said. “I think if we can raise half or three-quarters of it, we can go to bond. But it will never pass public bond unless we get the majority of it funded privately.”

Attendance at the first group meeting, held two weeks ago, is reason for optimism, Morris said.

“I’m excited,” he said. “There were 40 people at that meeting. It’s going to be a full-court press.”

The Steering Committee consists of Palmer; Morris; Campbell; Crais Sickels, Freeport High athletic administrator; John Paterson; Kim Lamarre; Lesa Andreasen; Maddy Vertenten; Marty Robies; Mary Martin; Matt Cartmell; Town Councilor Sarah Tracy; Terry Agnese; and Will Johnson.