You might have noticed two iconic posters going up around Nevada in recent weeks.
One, featuring a tough-looking Michelle “AKA Rosie” Cassabaum, says, “We Can Do It!” The other, featuring Nevada’s own Uncle Sam-look-alike, Mayor Brett Barker, says, “I WANT YOU FOR #SCOREINDOOR.”
The posters draw attention to the final stage of fundraising for the Nevada Fieldhouse.
The Fieldhouse will be a community, multi-functional facility used for multi-generational activities and events. It will be located just north of the Fawcett Family Aquatic Center in the SCORE park. The project has been creatively dubbed “SCORE INDOOR.” This facility will house gymnasium space, a children’s indoor play area, an elevated walking/running track, flex space courts and turf areas, batting cages, social space, a multi-purpose area, and the offices of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Cassabaum, who 21 years ago was a key player in the fundraising to build the original SCORE park, is again front and center in the fundraising efforts to build the Fieldhouse.
“When we did SCORE, there were over 200 volunteers and a paid consultant (leading the campaign),” Cassabaum recalled. “This time, we did not want to spend money on a consultant. Our committee felt we knew our community.”
Behind the scenes, the fundraising committee has worked during the pandemic on a “silent phase” of the campaign.
“We are at $6 million of the $7 million needed right now,” Cassabaum said. The $6 million raised includes a $4.5 million commitment from the City of Nevada and a $400,000 commitment from Story County.
Now, every resident is called to action in the quest to raise the final $1 million.
“We will take all gifts, from $1 to $100,000,” Cassabaum said, noting that in many cases, givers may choose to do a five-year pledge toward their financial contribution. All donations are tax-deductible through the community’s new charitable arm, the Nevada Foundation.
Sara Clausen, President of the Nevada Economic Development Council, talked about the importance of developing the Nevada Foundation for future projects that will benefit Nevada.
“With the Nevada Foundation, we’ve formed a group to be the voice of the community in philanthropic endeavors,” Clausen said.
She and Cassabaum say the Foundation ensures “there will always be somebody at the table” to protect the community’s interests in charitable giving. “The City, the NEDC, the Nevada Schools, the Historical Society, and Main Street Nevada all have a seat at the table on the Nevada Foundation,” Clausen added.
Giving to the Fieldhouse is easy. Hover your smartphone camera over the QR code (also shown on the posters), and it takes you to #SCOREINDOOR PUBLIC CAMPAIGN information
and an appointment calendar.
Short 20-minute appointments will be held at the SCORE Pavilion from Monday, June 7, through Friday, June 18. “This is a chance for people to ask questions about the fieldhouse and make a financial commitment,” Cassabaum said.
The Fieldhouse was part of Vision 2020, and has been discussed several times over the past 20 years. “It’s needed for the community, for the county, for economic development. Our youth need it; our families need it; our senior residents need it,” Cassabaum said.
Learn more about the fieldhouse project and what it offers to all ages by going to the projects page of the City website: City of Nevada, Iowa (cityofnevadaiowa.org).
—Written by Marlys Barker, City of Nevada
