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Funders Mobilize to Support Bayfield Recreation Center |
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| Bayfield, known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands, is a popular touring stop for visitors to the Lake Superior region.
One of the most recent pressing issues facing the local community was the operation of the Bayfield Recreation Center, the hub of recreational activities and programs.
The Bayfield School District had operated the center since 1986 and was losing over $150,000 annually after years of debit and maintenance issues. Members of the school board debated whether to sell, tear down, or remodel the Rec Center for another use.
A group of residents and community leaders committed to finding a solution to sustain the Center's indoor swimming pool, fitness room, racquetball court and multi-purpose room launched a campaign to raise awareness and advocate for independent operation of the facility.
Anonymous donors established a $100,000 temporary fund dedicated to operations of the Rec Center over three years through the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund, an affiliate of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.
"This gift was instrumental in convincing the school board to lease the facility for $1 per year for three years to the friends group," said Lois Albrecht, manager of donor services for the Apostle Islands Community Fund.
The Plum Creek Foundation provided a grant enabling the Rec Center to offer swim lessons for free as part of the school's curriculum, an essential skill because of Bayfield's location on a peninsula. Local businesses contributed to a scholarship program subsidizing memberships for over 150 individuals.
"The Rec Center was able to achieve what no one could have predicted: we broke even after the first year of independent operation, increased membership by 40% and expanded program offerings to two dozen classes each season," said Scott Armstrong, executive director for the Bayfield Area Recreation Center.
As a result of the generosity of donors, the Center continues to thrive serving over 30,000 visitors each year. |
| "Financing a pool and recreation center in a small, rural community is a tremendous challenge. What was once a divisive community issue has become a source of pride and collaboration in the region," said Scott Armstrong, executive director for the Bayfield Area Recreation Center. |
