Area residents and supporters of the Olpe Fitness Park Project gathered for a night of dinner, dancing and bidding in support of the project Saturday night.
The Olpe Knights of Columbus Hall hosted the second annual Green Machine Gala fundraiser which featured a silent and live auction, steak dinner and dance all to raise funds for the multi-million dollar endeavor which hit a major milestone late last year. It was announced on New Year’s Eve that the project had hit its $2.5 million phase 1 fundraising goal.
According to organizer Tyler Schmidt, reaching the phase one goal ahead of Saturday’s gala added a little extra celebratory feel to the evening’s festivities.
Phase one work will include a new football stadium, including a field, eight-lane track, bleachers, press box and fencing; as well as the start of a fitness trail. All funds raised Saturday will be put towards phase two of the project according to Schmidt.
Current plans are for phase one work to begin in early 2026. Schmidt says phase two will focus on new improvements and construction in Olpe Jones Park including a new multi-use facility, splash pad, continued improvements on the park’s fitness trail and much more.
Schmidt says each phase is designed to flow cohesively into one another which he says was an important point for project committee members when laying out the initial plan years ago.
Between the live and silent auctions as well as raffles and ticket sales, Saturday’s gala brought in nearly $100,000 for the fitness park project.
Photos by Hannah Hubert and Judy Neil/KVOE
