Because of issues with vehicle access to the Homer Middle School track, Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society fundraising and awareness event, has been moved to West Homer Elementary School. 

The time and date have not changed. Relay for Life starts with opening ceremonies and a survivors’ walk at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at noon Saturday.

Relay for Life got permission from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to use Homer Middle School, but was advised that roof construction now going on would restrict use of the Sterling Highway or lower parking lot and access, said Julie Cisco, school district director of planning and operations. Primary access would be through the parking lot between the middle school and the Homer Educational and Recreational Complex, or HERC, building.

That access made getting to the track difficult, with some event participants expressing concerns about getting trucks and equipment to the track. A gravel road west of the middle school gym is blocked off because of construction.

“We chose to move the event because we did not have the road access we needed,” said Michelle Geagel, co-coordinator for Relay for Life.

The event made arrangements with the school district to use West Homer Elementary School. An 880-foot “P” shaped walking route has been marked east of the school, Geagel said.

“Everybody’s happy. We have parking, we have places for tents and we can access everything,” she said.

For more information, visit Homer Relay For Life’s Facebook page or call Geagel at 399-1359 or co-chair Michelle Drake at 399-5262.