Fundraising for the new Track and Football Field Is Off and Running
by Steve Wilder
October 03, 2011
Fundraising for the new Track and Football Field officially began last weekend, September 30 & October 1. While the facility will be owned and maintained by Knoxville CUSD #202, there has been a commitment from the beginning of planning for the project that the new facility be a resource for the entire community. As such, the construction of the new facility has been supported by several donors already.
Financing for the Track project will come primarily from the School District who has already committed $550,000 from a combination of district reserves and revenue from the County School Facility Sales Tax passed in November of 2010. An additional $200,000 was given by the City of Knoxville and will come from funds raised from the City's TIF District over a period of 8 years. Despite these resources, funding for the approximate $960,000 project still fell short. Plans to raise funds with the hope of closing that $210,000 gap in financing began in the Spring of 2011 and officially kicked off this past Homecoming weekend.
First, we are pleased to announce that Tompkins State Bank presented the Knoxville Board of Education with a ceremonial check for $30,000 at halftime of the Homecoming Football game. Representatives from Tompkins State Bank contacted Board President Bob Bogard earlier this Summer and waited for an opportune time to announce their donation. In return for their generosity, the Concession Stand at the new Track will be called the "Tompkins State Bank Concession Stand".
Knoxville CUSD #202 has also received two large donations from other sources. The Shreeves family, now in their third generation of farming in the Knoxville area, committed a donation of approximately $25,000 and has asked that the Press Box at the new Track be named in memory of Gerald Shreeves who passed away as a result of a farming accident in 1991. The current Press Box at Stamps Field was erected with the generosity of the Shreeves family and is named for Gerald Shreeves already.
The Knoxville Booster Club has also demonstrated their generosity and support of the new Track project with a commitment of $30,000 to be used toward the construction of the Concession Stand, as well as an additional $20,000 to be used toward equipping the Concession Stand. Although the building will be owned and maintained by the Knoxville School District, concessions have long been organized and operated by the Knoxville Booster Club.
Two other opportunities to donate were announced this past weekend. First, supporters of the Track Project can purchase an engraved 4x8 inch brick which will become part of the new facility when construction is completed in 2012. The cost of each brick is $100, with $30 going toward the engraving and cost of the brick and $70 being donated directly to the Track project. Lackey Monument will be handling all of the engraving. You can read more about this opportunity by clicking here.
Individuals, groups, and businesses can also make donations to the "Coach's Club" in any amount. Donations of $500 or more will be recognized with permanent signage at the new Track. Forms for both the engraved bricks and Coach's Club can be found on the district website, as well as by clicking on the links below.
Finally, any individuals, groups, or businesses who are interested in making a large donation have the opportunity to name one of three more portions of the new facility: the entire complex itself, the Track, and/or the Football Field. Anyone interested in this opportunity should contact Superintendent Steve Wilder for more information.
We are excited about the completion of the new Track and Football Field and the opportunity to begin running home Track meets in the Spring of 2012 and the first home Football game on the new field in the Fall of 2012. We look forward to seeing you at those events, and invite you to contact the District Office if you have any questions. Together we are making this new facility a reality...together, WE ARE KNOXVILLE!
