Fundraising to support construction of the Olpe Fitness Park Project has been steadily gaining momentum over the last few months.
That’s according to project committee members Tyler and Wade Schmidt who joined KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday to discuss said efforts. Friday’s interview came a little more than two months after USD 252 Southern Lyon County extended a fundraising deadline to the end of the year.
As of Friday, the project is near $1.9 million towards its $2.5 million goal which, if achieved, will activate a $600,000 match from the district. Tyler Schmidt tells KVOE News he believes having the deadline in place, while stressful at times, has helped to boost donations.
In addition to private donors and grants, the project has also benefited from local events including the inaugural Green Machine Gala held this past February and the most recent Front Porch Jams concert held at the Argabright home last month. At this time, Wade Schmidt says there are no plans for additional community activities to support fundraising efforts with the committee instead planning to focus on fostering more relationships with private and community donors in the coming months.
The fitness park is a three-phased project set to bring a splash pad, a walking path around Olpe Jones Park, fitness stations along the path and recent additions like a new basketball court and fencing around the softball field. Olpe is also looking to turn the football practice field into the main stadium with an eight-lane track and other track and field amenities.
The plan also involves a field house with a community center and community weight room, an early childcare center and a reversed layout for the baseball field.
For more information on the project or how to donate to the cause, contact Tyler Schmidt by calling 620-794-2022, Wade Schmidt at 620-757-0541, find the Olpe Fitness Park on Facebook or email OlpeFitnessPark@Gmail.com.
