In a day and age in which the city of Baltimore sees rec centers and fire companies (or maybe not) being shut down by our leadership in lieu of tax breaks for billionaires comes a 5000 square foot facility “Powered By Under Armour” in the heart of Patterson Park. The ribbon cutting is today and let’s just say it’s a step in the right direction when it comes to private-public partnerships actually doing things for the community that may in some cases justify huge tax breaks so long as that money is then injected into the community. Regardless, this isn’t a rant about politics as usual (for now), so here’s the PR blurb regarding said facility.
LIVING CLASSROOMS TO HOST RIBBON-CUTTING/OPENING CEREMONY FOR NEW PATTERSON PARK YOUTH SPORTS AND EDUCATION CENTER
Partners and professional athletes come together to celebrate new sports and education facility that will serve East Baltimore youth and schools with Living Classrooms’ Scholar-Athlete and health and wellness programming
BALTIMORE — Living Classrooms Foundation, in partnership with the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS), local agencies, and community and corporate partners, will celebrate the grand opening of the Patterson Park Youth Sports and Education Center Powered by Under Armour on Tuesday, November 20.
Partners, funders and supporters of Living Classrooms will welcome students and families to the newly constructed 5,000 square-foot facility in an opening ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. followed by activities with professional athletes and students to kick off the first touchdown, first field goal, first pitch and first goal scored on this new field.
The ceremony will include brief remarks by Living Classrooms President and CEO, James Piper Bond; Baltimore City Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake; BCPSS CEO, Dr. Andres Alonso; City Council President,Jack Young; Under Armour CEO, Kevin Plank; Congressman Elijah Cummings; Coach for America’s Joe Ehrmann; Baltimore Ravens President, Dick Cass; Dept. of Recreation and Parks’ Bill Vandrasek; BCPSS School Commissioner, Bob Heck; Dr. Josh Sharfstein; and others.
Immediately after the speakers, athletes from the Ravens, Blast, Bayhawks and Orioles will join students in ceremonial activities to commemorate this day. Athletes in attendance include: Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith and Justin Tucker; Bayhawks Ben Rubeor, Alex Smith and others; Lenny Moore (Hall of Fame- Baltimore Colts); Baltimore Oriole Steven Johnson; Baltimore Blast players (to be announced); and local high school sports stars, including Steven Kelly (Calvert Hall). Also in attendance will be Baltimore City Health Commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot; MD Attorney General, Doug Gansler; Senators Frank Kelly and Bill Ferguson; Delegates Brian McHale and Peter Hammen; Councilmembers James Kraft and Nick Mosby; and other project supporters.
The Patterson Park Youth Sports and Education Center will offer much-needed physical education programming for youth and schools in the area. In addition, the facilities and space will provide East Baltimore’s youth and families a safe place to exercise, learn, play and build healthy lifestyles. The facility includes a new, multi-purpose turf field and an educational building equipped with computers and technology serving students daily. Over 1,000 students from local East Baltimore schools will utilize the Sports and Education Center each year.