April 8, 2011
Dear St. Peter Athletic Association Supporter:
As you may know, the Athletic Association has been working towards the installation of a new, wooden gym floor for our Parish Center/Gymnasium. Our current floor is woefully dated and the hard tile presents multiple safety concerns, both for joints and heads. In the past, concerns regarding flooding have thwarted attempts to have a new floor installed, but the installation of new curbs and berms have corrected the flooding issue such that we were able to proceed with exploring this project. Indeed, we are pleased to tell you that the Athletic Association, along with assistance from interested parishioners, has identified a wood gym floor that has received the blessing and support of Msgr. Jack, the Athletic Association Board of Directors, and the various parish committees that handle such matters (Maintenance Committee, Finance Committee, Parish Counsel). The floor is manufactured by Robbins Sports Surfaces and is called Sportwood Ultra Boston Square. In fact, it is the same floor that was recently installed in St. Clement with great success. Attached is a photo of the floor.
Among the reasons we chose this floor is the fact that it is made from the hardest grains of wood and processed in such a fashion as to allow for maximum durability and usage. While we considered cheaper flooring options, none presented the combination of durability and aesthetics that the Sportwood Ultra floor provides. Although it will come with a protective covering for use with events in the Parish Center (retreats, fund raisers, etc.), its durability is such that it will be able to withstand the same everyday use as our current floor with no additional maintenance. In fact, other than diligence with respect to spills and making sure chairs/tables have appropriate rubber bottoms, the only maintenance required will be an annual resurfacing in the summer -much like the current floor.
In addition to the floor, the Athletic Association has also identified the lighting in the Parish Center/Gymnasium as an area for improvement. Thus, we have also sought and received approval for the installation of new lighting that will not only brighten the Parish Center/Gymnasium for all parish and sporting events, but will also result in a cost savings of approximately $2,000/year in electricity.
Of course, these improvements are not inexpensive. The total cost for the improvement of the Parish Center/Gymnasium as outlined above (which includes raising the doorways to account for the new floor, raising the basketball goals, lining the floor for sport usage,etc.) will be approximately $75,000.00. The Parish has agreed to allow the Athletic Association to access its line of credit for the purpose of making the required payments to the flooring company. Ultimately, however, the Athletic Association will be responsible for the total cost for the gym floor and for repaying any amounts financed by the parish.
The Athletic Association's normal funding sources (registration fees, golf tournament, tree lot) are necessary to pay for the annual operating expense items incurred by the Association, such as field/gym rental, uniforms, equipment, etc. These funds are not intended, nor are they sufficient, to fund a capital improvement project such as the gym floor/lighting. As a result, we are seeking your help. Additionally, one of the conditions of the Parish for financing the project is that the Athletic Association raise at least half of the money needed for the project before engaging the contractor for the installation of the floor, which must happen by the end of April. (The actual installation would take place this summer after the completion of bible camp.) Again, this project has been fully supported by Msgr. Jack and the Parish, but it is not something that is in the current (or foreseeable) budget plans for the Parish.
Of course, time is of the essence. We believe there is ample support within the members of the Athletic Association to not only reach the halfway point this April, but in fact to raise the entire amount. As a result, we are asking for donations from Athletic Association members in order to meet our fundraising goal. You will be receiving a call in the next two weeks of April to solicit your donation. Our goal is that our donations will average One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per donor. With that in mind, please do what you are able, given your own personal financial circumstances. Your participation at any level is greatly appreciated as we try to complete this important project to improve our Parish Center and Gymnasium for our kids and fellow parishioners for generations to come.
So that you know, your donation will be tax deductible and can be submitted using the form attached at the end of this letter. Additionally -and it is important that you understand this point -another condition of the Parish in approving and assisting the Athletic Association with the financing of this project is that we make it clear that your contribution to this project (which is fully appreciated!) is not a substitute or credit towards what the Parish will be requesting in connection with its capital campaign, which will take place in two to three years. We have committed to Msgr. Jack that the people who donate to this cause will understand that it does not substitute for their participation in the next capital campaign. We hope you understand.
Again, we will be calling you in the first two weeks of April and hope that we can count on your donation towards this exciting project. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following parishioners. You may also direct any questions to gymfloor@stpsports.com
Thank you!
Very truly yours
Matt Huggins Tim McGrail Kevin McLaughlin Pete Villhard
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