SPRING LAKE PARK, Minn. – (April 26, 2018) – Over the past several years the Panther Foundation has infused more than $1 million into the Spring Lake Park School District.
“Our mission is to empower world class learning and experiences for students of the Spring Lake Park School District,” said Panther Foundation board chair Bill Koschak.
The Panther Foundation is a non-profit organization run by parents and other committed community members.
The organization has spearheaded efforts to bring innovative spaces and STEM programming to the district. Now, they are embarking on a large scale plan to transform two key community assets.
“Everybody gets involved at the High School at some point. Whether you are an elementary school student running track and field here. You’re a middle school student doing your choir or band concert here in the Fine Arts Center…or you are going to participate in graduation on the turf of Panther Stadium,” said Koschak.
The Panther Foundation will provide the school district with a $600,000 grant to update and expand these two facilities. Work in the Fine Arts Center will center on updating technology, including new sound and lighting systems and updates to the stage. In the stadium the grant will work to make Panther Stadium something community members can be proud to show off to visitors
“So we are working on how do we improve the access, better entrances into the stadium. We are working on a concession stand that is moved up onto the plaza and making the plaza bigger. Also we will add in some outdoor restrooms. It is all about making things look and feel more like you would be accustomed to at a school of our stature,” said Koschak.
The Panther Foundation will use $400,000 of current assets and will look to raise the remaining portion of the grant. A two year capital campaign has already brought in an additional 50 thousand dollars towards the project. Donors of amounts as small as $50 will be recognized in a special way.
“We will have a wall right outside the Fine Arts Center…for people who are our major donors they will end up on a recognition wall outside on a wall in Panther Stadium,” said Koschak.
For Bill being a part of the Panther Foundation is a way to give back to the school district that has helped educate his children and provides his family a way to make lasting community investments that they could not accomplish by themselves.
“I’ve been involved in the foundation for a long time…I think it is been building a culture of giving in the community,” said Koschak.
For more information on the Panther Foundation click here.
