Last week we heard from member, Josh McDowell, about Project Rise.  It's a vision to build a new "multi-sport, multi-purpose facility for football, soccer, tennis, track, and the Crete band-designed to support the full Cardinal Experience."  Currently at times, through scheduling conflicts, Doane University's facilities aren't available for practices or games, and Crete doesn't have their own place with adequate parking and seating to host contests.  This project will give the Crete Public School District a place that they use that's always available to them.  To be clear, Josh reiterated Doane University will continue to be a partner, and they are still in a contract to utilize their facilities. 

 

The project will be in 3 phases, with phase 1 already beginning.  

Phase 1 (underway:) Seating, Lighting, Scoreboard, Press Box, Gravel Parking Lot

Phase 2 (Summer 2026): Tennis Courts, Fun Pavilion, Locker Rooms

Phase 3 (2027-2028): Fieldhouse, Track Upgrades, Turf, Paved Parking Lot

 

The investment is significant for this type of project, and they're asking the community for help.  The total campaign goal is about $10 million.  The district has contributed about half, and the community giving goal is $4 million.  Thank you, Josh, for sharing this opportunity with us.

 

Grocery Grab planning is underway thanks to Jim Johnson!  He passed around a list of former sponsors and new, potential ones.  Please contact Jim if there's a business you'd like to contact or have in the past.  He's asking for the sponsors to be finalized by Sept. 5th to get the tickets printed.  At the last meeting, we're looking to draw the winning ticket on October 29th, and the Grocery Grab is November 8th.  If you need a letter to give to a sponsor, please let him know to get one created.  Members will be selling outside of Foodmart the Saturdays in October in an effort to sell tickets.  Please be looking for a sign up sheet soon!

 

Some upcoming events to get on your calendar are: