An exterior view of the Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena in Columbus, Ind., pictured on Friday, March 13, 2020. Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The financial campaign to raise $400,000 for a girls locker room addition at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena has edged to $27,988 — $17,000 more since the Jan. 6 Plunge Into Parks outdoor polar plunge in downtown Columbus.
The Columbus Park Foundation organized that event. Celeste Reynolds, Columbus Parks and Recreation’s project and resource development manager, said she remains optimistic that donors can hit the target goal by June or July. Reynolds added that campaign organizers expect about 50 percent or more of the needed funds to come from grants that are just beginning to be sought and pursued.
For example, the city will provide $200,000 for the effort, according to Reynolds.
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The latest local fundraiser for the cause was a Dine to Donate day at Zaharakos downtown. Reynolds said she’s happy with the current, growing total.
“Of course, I’d like to already be at that $400,000,” she said. “But … we are still very much on pace to reach the goal (by summer).”
Carleen Fry, the ice arena manager, said she continues to hear skaters and parents alike discuss the project with excitement — and she’s heartened by that especially because female skaters currently must change clothes in the facility’s equipment room. That space accommodates three skaters at a time.
The planned girls locker room, which will include a restroom and showers, will accommodate 18 to 20 girls at a time, Fry said. She said that’s significant since programs such as girls hockey and even girls broomball are growing.
Fund drive leaders also say that the additional locker room will give the venue the opportunity to host more hockey tournaments including women’s hockey events and bigger men’s tournaments. And project leaders say bringing in bigger tournaments will increase sports tourism benefiting the city’s economy through hotel stays, restaurant visits and more.
Plus, organizers love the idea that the locker room is designed to be a flexible space when needed for rental events such as birthday parties and more.
