Hot Springs High School receives numerous grants

HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs High School Athletics Department recently received two grants from an organization known as The Plum Creek Timber Company to repair the baseball field and purchase two IPads that will help coaches ensure the safety of their teams. Plum Creek Senior Manager for Planning David Greer was on hand at the high school to present both checks to Athletics Director Chris Clairmont and local resident Lanny Page on Thursday.

Page, who is leading the effort to rehabilitate the baseball field on the grounds of the high school said the money will provide the means for an almost complete overhaul of the facility. Page is hoping the improved field will attract more local youths to the sport of baseball.

“The main thing I’m hoping for is we make these improvements, make the field look nice and get more kids out here for baseball,” said Page.

The second grant will provide for the purchase of two iPad tablet computers with software that will allow coaches to determine if an athlete requires medical attention following an incident on the field or court. Coaches will enter information into the computer based on their observations and answers from the athlete following a play.

The software will instantly analyze the information on the sidelines and determine if an athlete can continue to play or should be examined for possible health concerns. Clairmont will assist in training coaches on how the software works and how to respond accordingly if the computer recommends further examination.

“It will build a report that we can send to local medical facilities if a kid needs to be looked at,” said Clairmont. “Coaches will be able to use it on the sidelines.”

The app for the iPad was designed specifically for coaches and health providers to supply early indication and recognition that a traumatic brain injury may have occurred. Coaches and first responders will now have a tool that could provide enhanced safety measures to protect the well being of athletes in Hot Springs.

Greer said the grants were part of Plum Creek’s efforts to assist communities with projects like the ones in Hot Springs. Greer said the organization seeks to provide assistance in areas where they have a vested interest due to their vast land holdings in Sanders County.

“Plum Creek is one of the largest land owners in Sanders County so we award grants from time to time in communities where we have a lot of ownership,” said Greer. “Hot Springs sits in the middle of almost 100,000 acres of land owned by Plum Creek so we try to help communities in need and do what we can.”

Plum Creek is one of the largest landowners in the country. The timber company owns approximately 6.3 million acres in forest producing regions in more than a dozen states from coast to coast.

According to the company website, Plum Creek “supports organizations that improve the quality of life and provide services to residents in communities where Plum Creek operates.”