By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of Ryan Duey
Grow Clay County Director Natalie Muruato presented on the Multi-Generational Life Center during the Clay Center Lions Club meeting on September 2nd. Grow Clay County will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, September 26th at 10:00 a.m. at the future location of the Life Center.
With less than a month to go until the Groundbreaking Ceremony, an anonymous donor has provided a $500,000 matching grant, which will run until November 1st. Every dollar donated will be matched 1:1 up to $500,000.
Muruato spoke of how the community has already helped in this initiative.
“As of today, 18 local businesses have donated, and 104 individual donors have donated to this project in some form; some a little bit, some a lot.”
“We still have about $1 million left to raise. If we can match this new $500,000 matching donation, we’ll be there by November 1st.”
“That means we get completed gyms, we get the whole project. And it’s going to be pretty amazing.”
Muruato presented a slide from Parks & Recreation Superintendent Patrick Hayes, detailing the many activities that can be incorporated into the completely finished building, including sports leagues, special gatherings, and much more. Cloud County Community College and Manhattan Area Technical College also plan to offer educational resources and courses at the Life Center.
During the Gather for Good Match Day, funds to either the Multi-Generational Life Center or the Grow Clay County Project Fund will go towards the Life Center and the $500,000 matching grant.
Muruato spoke of the impact the Life Center will have on the community for generations to come.
“It’s pretty amazing to see what this provides for our youth, for our seniors, for our adults, and the economic impact is going to be amazing.”
“People coming here to host tournaments, people coming from other communities to use some of these facilities, or take classes.”
“Those people are going to buy gas; they’re going to possibly buy groceries. They will possibly go shopping downtown, eat at restaurants.”
“That’s all sales tax that’s not coming from us locally. It’s coming from outsiders.”
To learn about the Life Center or how you can donate, visit the Grow Clay County website or contact Grow Clay County.
