U.S. Bank And MN Vikings Giving Grant To Stowe

As part of their Places To Play Grants, Stowe Elementary was one of nine choses schools for a renovation grant.

Stowe Elementary School will celebrate their grant on MONDAY, JUNE 4 at 1:30 p.m. Former MN Viking Doug Sutherland, Vikings mascot Viktor, MN Vikings cheerleaders along with U.S. Bank Duluth Market President Todd Fedora and the U.S. Bank mascot will lead the celebration at a school assembly with approximately 280 kids in attendance.

Stowe Elementary School, Gary New Duluth will receive a Multi-Sport Court. The multi-sport court will have basketball, pickleball, four square and hopscotch to replace an existing basketball pad that is in poor condition. The hope is it will provide a safe place for active outdoor play and learning activities and expand use to community members of all ages.

This was the third and final round recipients. Through the program, which launched alongside U.S. Bank Stadium in 2015, the bank donated $750,000 and the Minnesota Vikings $250,000 to community-based nonprofit organizations and local schools statewide over three years.

Here is a summary of the final round of recipients.
Appleton-Milan Elementary School, New and Updated School Playground (Appleton, MN). The grant will be used to replace the current elementary school’s playground equipment set. Not only do students use the equipment during the school day, but children who live in town use the playground as a gathering place outside of school hours.

DinoMights Billy Lindsay Outdoor Hockey Rink (Minneapolis). The grant will be used to create an outdoor refrigerated hockey rink in the core of the Phillips West Neighborhood to increase positive recreation opportunities in a neighborhood possessing significant opportunity gaps. Refrigeration would complete the final phase of construction of the Lindsay outdoor rink and enable this recreational facility to nearly triple its hours of use.

Itasca County Family YMCA, Outdoor Courts at the YMCA (Grand Rapids, MN). The grant will be used to build an outdoor recreational venue at the Itasca County Family YMCA that will help meet the physical, emotional, and social needs of the community. This will be accomplished by constructing a multi-generational area with four square courts, a full-sized basketball court and a six-court pickleball venue.

Partnership Academy, Richfield Community Band Shell (Richfield, MN). Partnership Academy is partnering with the City of Richfield to build an outdoor performance facility, the Richfield Community Band Shell, in Veterans Memorial Park, which is Richfield's premier community park. Partnership Academy, along with many other community groups and organizations, will be utilizing the Band Shell for outdoor performances, community events and ceremonies.

Phillips West Neighborhood Organization, Peavey Park Picnic Shelter (Minneapolis). The construction of a picnic shelter is a key element of a plan designed to increase activity at Peavey Park and improve visibility and safety when using the park. The addition of a centrally-located picnic shelter, equipped with drinking fountains, will provide a shaded, accessible gathering space for park users of all ages.

River Valley Education Center Sensory Playground (Jordan, MN). The new playground will provide an outdoor space that helps meet students’ sensory, physical and social needs. Students, their families, and community members love the new playground and are learning that physical activity improves health and provides the development of lifelong skills.

Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Conservancy, Sepak Takraw (Kato) Courts (St. Paul, MN). Sepak takraw (Thai) or Kato (Laotian) has caught the passion of the Hmong community. Permanent sepak takraw/kato outdoor courts will be constructed at the Duluth and Case Recreation Center and Marydale Park. With these new courts, St. Paul will be home to the first courts in the state, which is meaningful for the older generations and is a way for everyone to connect with and experience Hmong culture.

Stowe Elementary School, Gary New Duluth Multi-Sport Court (Duluth, MN). The multi-sport court will have basketball, pickleball, four square and hopscotch to replace an existing basketball pad that is in poor condition. This project will create full access for Stowe Elementary School students to the Gary New Duluth Community Center and Recreation Area facilities, provide a safe place for active outdoor play and learning activities and expand use to community members of all ages.

Walker Hackensack Akeley School District, Playground Rebuild (Walker, MN). Running, jumping and physical activities related to play develop good exercise habits and a better well-being. This project will rebuild the school playground, including the use of Poured-In-Place to make it accessible for all students, which will allow students a better play system to be physically active. Local families and daycares will have access to the playground after school hours.