Wildhorse Sports Association gets more aid in New Year
PLAINS - Wildhorse Sports Association keeps on keeping on with the goal of building a sports complex on the old airport land in Plains. And they may be way ahead of schedule to the recent developments in their fundraising efforts.
The non-profit organization was recently awarded a CTEP (Community Transportation Enhancement Program) grant by the Sanders County Commissioners in the amount of $43,000.
Secreatry Kim Bergstrom made the presentation to the commissioners, and stated the funds would be used for constructing a non-motorized trail from Central Aveneue to and through the complex.
“The CTEP grant definitely changes the priority of [the walking trail],” Erika Swanson Lawyer said. “We’re excited about and it puts the walking trail further up on our to-do list. There’s not a bid out on it yet of course, but we’re thinking it’s a $150 thousand endeavor to do it right. Forty-three is a good, good start but we’ll need more funds to make it right.”
The news came to WSA on Jan. 4, and with the organization’s board meeting on the horizon next week, they plan to map out finalized plans, decide on what bleachers they plan to purchase for the two Babe Ruth fields as part of Phase I of the project, and develop a working timeline.
But wait - there is more.
WSA also received a grant from the Washington Foundation to help with the ballpark. Washington Foundation awarded them $10,000 for this year, and another $10,000 next year in the form of a challenge grant.
“We have this year’s funds in hand, and just need to raise $10,000 in matching funds in order to receive the additional $10,000,” Kim Bergstorm said in an email. “So essentially, they’ve granted us $20,000 which will become $30,000. We are very excited to have been awarded this grant. Upon submittal of the online application, the director (Mike Halligan) called me to make sure I know that the Foundation almost never funds construction projects, which is what this is. He was essentially telling me to not get my hopes up as this is not the type of project that the foundation is usually interested in. However, upon reviewing the project application, the board was very impressed by the extensive commitment that has been made to the project, and the depth of the funding and in-kind support that has been secured and pledged from the local community. Therefore, they opted to help us out with the award.”
The grant from WF was also a surprise for the organization, and coupled with the CTEP from the County Commissioners, Lawyer stated the balance in their checkbook will be just over $101,700.
“Getting fields playable this early summer puts us a full year ahead of schedule with field development,” Lawyer said. “I can’t stress enough what a big deal the Washington Foundation money is - they just don’t do construction projects.”
Until now. The mode of the non-profit is now full steam ahead, and Bergstrom is reportedly busy writing more grants.
“In terms of project status, the WSA board is currently finalizing plans for construction projects at the two Babe Ruth fields,” Bergstrom stated. “We should be able to accomplish this task at next week’s meeting, and will then begin securing bids for materials and spring construction. Preliminary site designs include dugouts and bull pens for each team at each of the two Babe Ruth fields, chain link fencing for the entire site (backstop and homerun fence), and aluminum bleachers. Once these amenities are built, the final grading and planting of the two Babe Ruth fields will occur. Upgrades are also planned to a portion of the old hangar for a concession stand. If everything goes as planned, these first two fields could be playable by mid-summer. The next phase will be to construct the remaining three baseball and softball fields.”