LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Norton Healthcare pledged $1 million in matching funds toward the construction of two new athletic fields in west Louisville.
The $3.5 million expansion at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center on West Muhammad Ali Boulevard will replace an existing one — that is no longer safe — and accommodate various sports leagues.
The goal was to raise $3 million to build two multipurpose sports fields with the first $1 million in place by the end of 2025.
"Very early on the community realized that the green space in the center of the outdoor track could work for flag football or soccer," Sadiqa Reynolds, founder and president of the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center, said in a news release Wednesday. "Eventually, we followed their lead and added soccer goals. What we couldn’t have anticipated was the demand. West Louisville Soccer now has 6 soccer teams that call this facility home. Unfortunately, the green space of a track is not graded for soccer or flag football and the overuse of the field created a safety hazard. This meant the soccer teams had to relocate. We are building these fields so our teams can come home."
Reynolds said the two fields will be adult-sized and can be split into four youth-sized fields. Right now, the center has a field in the middle of its outdoor track that's been used for soccer, flag football and lacrosse. But it's not graded for sports use and has been worn down from repeated use, making it unsafe for games.
"Access to athletic fields like these are essential for kids, both physically and mentally," Russell Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare, said in a news release. "Athletic fields encourage physical activity which helps to prevent chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease," said Russell F. Cox, president and chief executive officer, Norton Healthcare. "We know safe recreational spaces are good for kids and good for families. We are honored to support this initiative and hope others will join us in supporting kids’ health."
The project also calls for lighting, fencing, nets, new sports-grade turf and other sports equipment. Leaders hope to complete the project before next summer, pending fundraising efforts, if not sooner.
"The opportunities for these multipurpose fields are endless," Reynolds said. "Norton Healthcare has already been an amazing partner and we are so grateful that they continue to run with us on this transformational journey. We hope this $1m matching commitment will encourage corporations to invest in meaningful ways. We are in the business of creating opportunities for excellence for our kids and their families. We’re continuing to revitalize a neighborhood as well as the human spirit and none of it would be possible without partners, like Russ Cox and the Norton Healthcare team. This is what corporate responsibility looks like."
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