December 11, 2006
Re: Status Update
Dear Lane Tech Parents:
The Fields of Dreams Committee has been working hard to complete our goals to improve the athletic facilities of Lane Tech High School. Here’s where we stand to date:
• We have teamed up with the Lane Tech Century Foundation to better maximize our fund raising abilities and complete our common goals.
• We have raised funds and installed stadium lights. We solicited and received the financial support of Alderman Schulter with a $25K grant for the lights.
• We have prodded and convinced the Board of Ed to apply for a NFL matching grant to install fieldturf, which will benefit our football, soccer and lacrosse athletes. We have received the support of the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Force, LISC, and community groups in this endeavor. We hope to receive the good news shortly that Lane has been awarded this grant. We reached out to our state legislators and have applied for $40K in state grant funds to help defray the cost of the installation of the fieldturf.
• We have prodded and convinced the board to allocate funds for the renovation of Lane Tech Stadium. They have currently allocated $2.1M. The current estimate to renovate the stadium is over $4M and we will continue to prod and convince them of their continued financial obligation.
• We have requested the financial support of the Board of Ed to install a certified running track with jumping and vaulting amenities at the same time the fieldturf is being installed. We currently have a black, lumpy cinder track that is not IHSA certified and Lane can not host track meets.
• We are in continued contact with Alderman Schulter’s office regarding the development of the property adjacent to Lane Tech Stadium, specifically the partnership with the Chicago Cubs and their commitment to install a baseball stadium for use by our championship baseball team. The alderman has assured us that our input will be welcome regarding the development of the property with the installation of a softball diamond and practice fields.
We also need your help and support in our endeavors. We will be hosting a pasta fund-raising dinner on Saturday, February 3rd. Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of good food and entertainment. Reservation forms will be sent home with your athlete in January. Show your support and help us in our quest to improve Lane’s athletic facilities. Please visit our website www.lanetechfieldofdreams.com and add your comments or suggestions.
Cordially,
The Lane Tech Fields of Dreams Committee
Drew Bogan, Kim Camacho, Ted Cappelen, Tony Chronis, Colleen Frayn, Marie Goss, Calixto Marcano, Luis Munoz, Beatriz Penso-Buford, Rich Rio, Kris Roof