$1.5 million donation made to sports complex

NonprofitSports

Jun 19

Championship Field turf grass installed
Photo courtesy of West Michigan Sports Commission

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) 's Meijer Sports Complex improvement and expansion campaign received a $1.5 million donation from the Alro Steel Foundation. Additionally, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten provided $750,000 in federal grant money. The funds bring the campaign's total to $8.7 million, 77 percent of its $11.4 million goal. The Alro Steel donation ensures the naming rights of the complex's new championship softball field.

"We are thrilled to honor my father Al Glick's legacy by naming the championship softball field at the Meijer Sports Complex after the company he founded, Alro Steel," said Randy Glick, CEO, Alro Steel. "He was a passionate believer in the power of youth sports to teach valuable life lessons and develop strong teamwork skills. We are proud to partner with the West Michigan Sports Commission in providing a place for future generations of young athletes to have a beautiful and inspiring place to play and grow."

Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) secured $750,000 in funding for the sports complex through the Fiscal Year 2024 Community Project Funding requests as one of 15 community projects across West Michigan receiving federal grant money.

"Nothing brings a community together like sports," said Congresswoman Hillary Scholten. "As the mom of two young athletes in West Michigan, I see how sports open doors for kids of all ages and connect our communities. I am so proud to have secured $750,000 to expand the Meijer Sports Complex. This private-public partnership will give our neighbors a place to gather, promote physical and mental health in our youth, spur our economy, and put West Michigan on the map to host athletic events in the years to come."

The WMSC launched the $11.4 million A Winning Streak for West Michigan capital campaign in October 2022 to improve and expand its flagship Meijer Sports Complex, which opened in 2014. Since then, the complex has cumulatively attracted 208 events, 8,200 teams, and 265,750 visitors, for a total economic impact for Kent County of $60 million in direct visitor spending.

"This expansion project is a true public and private collaboration to improve West Michigan, as evidenced by these substantial gifts from Alro Steel Foundation and Rep. Scholten," said WMSC President Mike Guswiler. "We are so grateful for their generous donations that bring our fundraising goal closer to the finish line. We hope others will follow their example and join the 'winning streak' for West Michigan as we expand the Meijer Sports Complex to benefit the region from an economic, health and wellness standpoint."

The capital campaign continues through 2024. For more information, visit westmisports.com/winningstreak.