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The Mountain View Baseball/Softball Indoor Facility Project will design and build a new facility in Mountain View that would allow year-round baseball and softball training for underserved kids living in Northeast Anchorage. This project will provide healthy activity and mentorship, as well as a warm place to go, for neighborhood kids in need.
The project sponsor, Gamers Sports Travel, is a 501(c)3 public foundation. The director, Jamar Hill, is an Anchorage native who runs a non-profit outdoor baseball/softball program in the summer and fall months for underserved kids. The players, primarily living in Mountain View and Fairview, do not have access to private baseball or softball training, and some do not have the resources for traditional Little League. The summer/fall program is supported by the Rasmuson Foundation, GCI, the Municipality, and Major League Baseball. This facility would allow that training to continue through the winter months, allowing players from lower-income families a chance to compete with others from around the city and state.
Approvals received so far include the following:
• Approved Variance - the project received an approved resolution from the city to develop on an undersized lot.
• Approved Administrative Site Plan Review - the project received approval on the site plan from all municipal departments including Fire, Urban Design and Traffic.
Based on several estimates from general contractors and equipment pricing, the project is expected to cost about $1,000,000.
Fundraising and in-kind commitments received so far include the following:
• $30,000 from community fundraising efforts
• $20,000 in predevelopment services and scholarships from GCI
• In-kind donation of civil planning and engineering support from R &M Consultants
• An in-kind donation of landscaping services from P & M Gardens
Agnew | Beck and the Foraker Group are providing business planning for construction and operation of the facility and board development for the non-profit.
The project is preparing to submit our Tier 2 grant application with the Rasmuson Foundation in November of 2021, and will also be applying for a grant from Major League Baseball. It is estimated that funds remaining to be raised (assuming these grants are secured) total about $250,000. These are requested either in funds or as g in-kind contributions for construction services. If these in-kind contributions are received, or can be supported by additional community fundraising, the remaining amount needed totals $78,414.
A Rotary contribution would both reduce the remaining amount, and demonstrate community support (which is a major positive point in securing larger grants).
For 2021-2022, we request that the Club apply for a District grant in the amount of $4,000, to be supported by Club fundraising in the amount of $4,000, for a total of $8,000. This will allow RBI Alaska to add fastpitch softball capacity at the facility, which will support equity of use, and invigorate girls' athletics in underserved neighborhoods. Currently RBI Alaska players are almost all boys, and there is untapped softball demand in the Mountain View/Fairview neighborhoods.
The requested softball equipment is two softball pitching machines:
• The R2 softball pitching machine, $1,999.95
• Junior-size Hack Attack Softball pitching machine, $2,199.00
• Senior-size Hack Attack Softball pitching machine, $3,299.00
• Estimated Shipping: $500
• Total: $7,997.95
Construction is planned to occur in summer 2022. In the meantime, donated equipment will be used for the existing RBI Alaska program, which trains outdoors in Mountain View in the summer and fall.
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