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Ground has Broken!
Work on field has begun. Work on track is
pending funding.
July 30, 2007
Dear Friends of the Cleveland
Community Field:
Finally, the Project is under construction!
Regrettably, this means the facility
will be closed for the remainder of the summer. However,
when it is re-opened it will be truly usable year round.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed
so generously of their time, talents and financial
resources to bring us to this point. While this is
a moment to celebrate, it is actually just the beginning
of realizing the results that have been in the planning
stage for so long.
History
It began in the fall of
2003 with a $50,000 grant to resurface the track. In
evaluating the facility, we realized that a simple
resurfacing was a band-aid for a stadium that needed
major surgery. A new track surface would not last long
given that the existing underlayment was defective;
the field could hardly be used during peak seasons
due to poor drainage; and the overall deterioration
and appearance was depressing. It seemed that as long
as we were going to bother, we might as well do it
right – we needed a re-built
track, a synthetic turf field, covered grandstands,
and improved access and landscaping.
The first estimates
for a comprehensive renovation – track, turf,
grandstand and landscape improvements - came in at
$1,662,840. Lead by the Commerce-Cleveland High School
Alumni Association, and the annual PTA auction, our
fundraising campaign took off in the spring of 2005.
Since then, we have raised $1,167,750 through
individual and business donations, as well as public
and private grants. Additionally, many individuals
and businesses made essential in-kind contributions.
We have gained an invaluable community partner in Lorentz
Bruun Construction, a firm with roots in the neighborhood
and Cleveland High School, which is serving as our
general contractor.
Current Status
Today, due to the rising
cost of materials, and conditions specific to the nature
of the field, the cost to construct
just the track and field is $1,667,800 (more
than our original estimate for the entire project).
Potentially we have an additional $400,000 coming our
way (subject to conditions being negotiated) that nearly
puts us at our goal for this phase. However, without
the full amount in hand, the district will not allow
us to enter into a contract for all of the needed construction.
In order to keep
up momentum, we have begun construction on the field,
with the intent of amending the current contract with
the district to include the track. The track can be
done as well depending on the funds being negotiated
as well as additional resources becoming available
in time. Finding the additional funding
is critical in order to avoid duplication of costs
and closure of the facility again next year.
Please
share any ideas or contacts you may have to help us
meet this challenge, and do not hesitate to contact
us if you have any questions.
If you would like to
make a donation to help us be able to do the track
at the same time as the field, please visit our donate page or call 503-544-9909.
Again, thank you so much for your support.
Very truly yours,
Carmel Bender
Project
Co-chair
503-544-9909
info@clevelandcommunityfield.org
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