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Local Players. Global Impact.
City Council Approves
Game On Camps request to renovate basketball courts
Official Press Release - Jan. 17, 2020
[Glenwood Springs, Colorado] Game On Camps is excited to announce that the Glenwood City Council voted unanimously last night to pass the motion to renovate Sayre Park’s basketball courts. Game On Camps presented the initiative in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department, Hoop d’Ville and other community stakeholders.
The renovation will not cost taxpayers as funding for the project was raised solely by Game On Camps, Hoop d’Ville and Grand River Construction and is being matched by the City’s Park Impact Fees. An application for a $25,000 FMLD Mini Grant is also being submitted.
Gregg Rippy of Grand River Construction meets with Pedro Campos of Zeher Landscape and Jim Yellico, Game On Camps Board member to discuss the renovation plan Dec. 2019.
All members of council went on record with high praise for Game On Camps and its partnering stakeholders for the way they achieved the approval for the renovation, and said they hope it inspires other community groups to approach their requests of the City with, as Gregg Rippy stated, “not a hand out but a hand in.”
“This first phase of Sayre Park’s regeneration has been a community-led initiative from the beginning. It’s been a pleasure to work with Cassandra (Irving), Jim (Yellico), Mike (Picore), and Gregg (Rippy) and all those with passion and vision who have stepped forward to help lead this effort,” said Parks and Rec Director Brian Smith. “They’ve been a perfect example of how businesses, service groups and citizen committees can work in partnership with City leaders to build improvements that increase the quality of life of our residents and, in this case, even benefits kids around the world through Game On Camps global programs.”
The Mayor agreed to write a letter of endorsement for Game On Camps application for the Enterprise Zoning Contribution, which will give donors up to 25% more of a tax incentive on their contributions to the project.
Gregg and Merilee Rippy of Grand River Construction bring the lion’s share of donations to the project with a commitment of up to $100k of in-kind services. Gregg has also volunteered to manage the project. Hoop d’Ville contributed $5,000, and Game On Camps offered the initial $1,500 donation, which included a donation from India’s top-ranked semi-professional women’s basketball team, as a show of good faith and is the non-profit brokering community donations.
Rhonda Mosier, head coach of GSHS Varsity Basketball Team, was in attendance with several of her players who spoke in favor of the initiative. The team has now decided to raise $1,000 to contribute to the project.
Construction is set to begin on the courts in April and will feature a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Parks and Recreation Department and community stakeholders.
Local businesses and community members who would like to donate to the project and benefit from the EZ contribution tax incentives can go to GameOnCamps.com/sayrepark or contact Cassandra Irving directly at cassandra@gameoncamps.com. Game On Camps has set aside a special account at Alpine Bank for the donations.
Game On Camps is a 501c3 sports non-profit based in Glenwood that gives local players a global impact. All funds raised through its sports camps at Sayre Park support its global sports camps for underprivileged youth in India and Ukraine. For more information, visit GameOnCamps.com.