HomeMy WebLinkAbout062316_Family First Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2016
City of Renton Contacts:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
Randy Matheson, Executive Director Community Relations Renton School District, 425-204-2345
Seahawks Player Doug Baldwin partners with Mayor and School Superintendent
to Build New Community Center
Vision: 17,000 square foot ‘Family First Center’ built near Cascade Elementary School
Renton, WA: Doug Baldwin from the Seattle Seahawks, Renton Mayor Denis Law, and
Superintendent Dr. Art Jarvis from the Renton School District announced a partnership to build
a state-of-the-art community center in the Cascade/Benson neighborhood. They presented
their vision to the Renton School District Board who approved moving forward with the
proposal, which in the future could include a lease of 17,000 square feet of land to build the
Family First Community Center next to Cascade Elementary School. Their vision is to provide
youth and families in the area with a community center that offers health, fitness, and
recreational opportunities.
“This creative partnership we have formed is fueled by our collective vision of giving kids an
opportunity to be great,” said Mayor Denis Law. “This vision meets an urgent need, keeps our
promise to our community, and provides for the safety, education and character development
of the next generation.”
The goal of the Family First Community Center is to provide a whole host of programs including
sports and recreation, health and wellness, childcare, and classes in technology, music and
English as a second language. The center will support the growing needs of a diverse
community in an area where 65% of the students qualify for reduced lunches and over 25% of
the students are bilingual.
“Many of us have had the privilege of growing up in areas where recreation centers were
essential components to youth and community development,” said Dr. Art Jarvis. “And because
of these advantages, we were able to thrive as children and have realized our dreams as adults.
We must invest in our children’s future and prepare them for a better tomorrow ,”
Doug Baldwin has over seven years of business experience related to sports and recreation. He
is joined by Nick Arnold, a professional with over 11 years of experience working with
recreational and community centers, including Kids Discovery and YMCA. Baldwin originally
approached Mayor Law and expressed his interest in providing a recreational facility in Renton
to help meet the needs of underserved families. The Cascade/Benson area was an ideal option,
with nearly a quarter of Renton’s population , large number of the community living below the
poverty line. The area has also been historically underserved.
The school board was very enthusiastic of the project and supported moving forward to
develop more specifics on the proposal. They wholeheartedly agree with the need and strongly
believe that the families in the Cascade/Benson community will greatly benefit from a
community center of this nature. Renton City Council President Randy Corman also spoke to
the board and expressed the city’s commitment and excitement to partner with the Renton
School District on this project.
Over the next several months, the Family First team will be working with the City of Renton,
Renton School District, the Seattle Seahawks, and several community members to determine
funding options, develop a design for the center, and establish programs.
“Community centers not only provide athletic and educational activities, they are the building
blocks for character building opportunities,” said Doug Baldwin. “These opportunities are being
denied to many of the youth of today especially in the Cascade/Benson area .
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About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington with a population
just over 100,000. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business climate
have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are looking to provide employees
and their families with an outstanding quality of life. It is the home of Boeing, IKEA, the Seattle
Seahawks, and the eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found at
rentonwa.gov.
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