Packers Donating $250,000 For Pritchard Park Football Field

RACINE COUNTY, WI -- Racine County and the Racine Unified School District have created a partnership to develop the SC Johnson Community Sports Complex at Pritchard Park, providing more athletic fields for county-wide sporting and recreational events and activities.

This project received a sizable boost this week after the Green Bay Packers announced they will be providing a $250,000 grant to help convert a practice field into a "state-of-the-art football facility with artificial turf, proper seating, goal posts and other amenities."

The grant comes from the Green Bay Packers through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program.

“The NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Grant will support our collaborative efforts with Racine County to create state-of-the-art athletic facilities for the Racine community,” said Dr. Eric Gallien, RUSD superintendent on the Green Bay Packers website this week. “RUSD is thankful to the NFL Foundation and LISC for recognizing the need in our community and helping us to realize our vision. This will benefit countless youth and families for many years to come.”

Following the opening of the SC Johnson Community Aquatic Center last June, this second phase of development and construction will include a state-of-the-art football/multi-use stadium, plaza and concessions. The development may also include somewhere between two and six baseball/softball fields with concessions, enhanced parking and preservation and beautification of natural spaces.

The funding for this project is a partnership between RUSD and Racine County, with each entity contributing $3 million, subject to County Board and School Board approvals. RUSD will use funds that must be allocated for community-wide purposes and projects beyond the district schools. The fields will be accessible to all county public and private schools as well as other organizations.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to partner with the county," said RUSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien. "Together, we're going to be able to provide excellent, new athletic facilities for student athletes across the entire community. It's a great example of the power of collective impact."
Racine County completed a study and focus group on what residents want in their communities, and the results showed a need for major improvements to youth sports and recreational facilities.

"This partnership with Racine Unified is a game changer for our community," County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said. "For too long, the Racine area has lacked adequate facilities for youth and high school sports. Together with RUSD, we are providing our children and families with state-of-the art amenities and continuing to transform Pritchard Park into a destination for all."