Holtz's Greenville Community Initiative Comes to Life
May 12, 2010 | Football, General, Bulls Club
Courtesy Reflector.com
Plans for a recreation center for Greenville's residents with special needs got a green light Friday after a $500,000 grant was awarded by a state trust fund for the proposed Drew Steele Center.
Recreation and Parks Director Gary Fenton said the city had been pursuing N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund money for three years in hopes of matching $500,000 already raised by the community.
"So many businesses, nonprofits and individuals have played a role in getting the project to this point," he said. "Despite disappointments along the way, everyone's efforts have finally borne fruit, and the first phase of the project can soon be under way."
The grant and local donations will fund an expansion and improvements to the aging Elm Street Gym. Fenton said initial work on the three-phase process will include gym and rest room renovations, multi-use areas, a reception area, weight room, office space and a trail connector - all with accessibility modifications.
Having a facility set aside for the special needs population has been a goal since 2005, said former Recreation and Parks Director Boyd Lee, and reflects long-standing local parks priorities. The city hired its first recreation coordinator for special populations in 1969.
Lee also is a voting member of the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and was in Raleigh to voice his support for the project.
He said there were more than 80 applicants this year, and $6.5 million in funding was divided among 24 proposals.
Both he and Fenton said the community support was key, with money raised through golf tournaments, dinners and auctions, and in offers for construction and material donations.
"It grew faster than I thought it would," Lee said. "I've been involved with a lot of golf tournaments but never one that earns $100,000 each time. We're excited it's finally going to happen, and we want to thank the people of Greenville for supporting it."
As organizer of the Drew Steele Foundation and father of the center's namesake, who has Down syndrome, Mike Steele said his family was thrilled at the news.
"We will start our meetings pretty quickly," he said. "We had so many people help us, so many donate, but (former East Carolina University Head Football Coach) Skip Holtz certainly made it bigger and better. It was his idea to have it named for Drew."
Holtz left ECU in January for a coaching job at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
"I am excited for the children that will benefit, the city of Greenville and all the people who made this dream become a reality," said Holtz. "This is a great feat for the community during a very difficult economic time. This shows what positive things can happen when people come together for a great cause."
As for Drew, his response was kept short and sweet.
"Love it!" he declared at the news, throwing his head back and grinning broadly.
Fenton said the gym will continue to feature programs open to all citizens but will serve as a base for all special populations staff and operations. He expects work to begin on the facility by September.
Contact Kathryn Kennedy at kkennedy@reflector.com or (252) 329-9566.
Plans for a recreation center for Greenville's residents with special needs got a green light Friday after a $500,000 grant was awarded by a state trust fund for the proposed Drew Steele Center.
Recreation and Parks Director Gary Fenton said the city had been pursuing N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund money for three years in hopes of matching $500,000 already raised by the community.
"So many businesses, nonprofits and individuals have played a role in getting the project to this point," he said. "Despite disappointments along the way, everyone's efforts have finally borne fruit, and the first phase of the project can soon be under way."
The grant and local donations will fund an expansion and improvements to the aging Elm Street Gym. Fenton said initial work on the three-phase process will include gym and rest room renovations, multi-use areas, a reception area, weight room, office space and a trail connector - all with accessibility modifications.
Having a facility set aside for the special needs population has been a goal since 2005, said former Recreation and Parks Director Boyd Lee, and reflects long-standing local parks priorities. The city hired its first recreation coordinator for special populations in 1969.
Lee also is a voting member of the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and was in Raleigh to voice his support for the project.
He said there were more than 80 applicants this year, and $6.5 million in funding was divided among 24 proposals.
Both he and Fenton said the community support was key, with money raised through golf tournaments, dinners and auctions, and in offers for construction and material donations.
"It grew faster than I thought it would," Lee said. "I've been involved with a lot of golf tournaments but never one that earns $100,000 each time. We're excited it's finally going to happen, and we want to thank the people of Greenville for supporting it."
As organizer of the Drew Steele Foundation and father of the center's namesake, who has Down syndrome, Mike Steele said his family was thrilled at the news.
"We will start our meetings pretty quickly," he said. "We had so many people help us, so many donate, but (former East Carolina University Head Football Coach) Skip Holtz certainly made it bigger and better. It was his idea to have it named for Drew."
Holtz left ECU in January for a coaching job at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
"I am excited for the children that will benefit, the city of Greenville and all the people who made this dream become a reality," said Holtz. "This is a great feat for the community during a very difficult economic time. This shows what positive things can happen when people come together for a great cause."
As for Drew, his response was kept short and sweet.
"Love it!" he declared at the news, throwing his head back and grinning broadly.
Fenton said the gym will continue to feature programs open to all citizens but will serve as a base for all special populations staff and operations. He expects work to begin on the facility by September.
Contact Kathryn Kennedy at kkennedy@reflector.com or (252) 329-9566.
Thursday, May 28
Thursday, May 21
Friday, May 15
Tuesday, March 31
