INDIANAPOLIS – (Jan. 7, 2010) Citizens Energy Group and partnering contractors are contributing more than $110,000 in in-kind work and hundreds of hours of employee volunteer service to renovate Martin Luther King Park’s pool bathhouse on the City’s Near-Northside and Pride Park Community Center on the City’s Eastside in a unique public-private partnership with Indy Parks honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
At the pool bathhouse at Martin Luther King Park, Citizens Energy Group is providing contractors and volunteers to replace the roof, paint the floors, ceilings, benches and walls, repair wooden beams, install new fixtures, shower curtains and bathroom stall doors, and create wall murals. At Pride Park Community Center, contractors and volunteers are remodeling the bathrooms and kitchen, building a half wall to create a recreation area in the one-room center, renovating the office and storage areas, replacing fixtures, installing new ceiling tiles, decorating, painting and supplying new appliances. Partnering industrial contractor Marksmen Construction Services’ in-kind contributions to the projects total $36,000. In addition, C.E. Reeve Roofing and Firestone Building Products have provided combined work and materials contributions totaling about $25,000. Local interior/architecture firm Mitsch Design is providing $2,500 in services.
“With Sharing the Dream, Citizens Energy Group reaffirms its commitment to helping the City of Indianapolis create a world-class parks system,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “This very generous donation of time, energy and resources by Citizens Energy Group’s staff and leadership showcases the community spirit of this corporate entity and exemplifies the kind of public-private partnerships we seek to support our assets for decades to come.”
Sharing the Dream 2010 marks Citizens Energy Group’s second service project with Indy Parks. Citizens Energy Group’s first Sharing the Dream project in January 2009 resulted in more than $50,000 worth of improvements to Brookside Park Family Center.
The Martin Luther King Park pool bathhouse serves Indy Parks patrons who recreate at the outdoor pool, a popular summertime destination. The Pride Park Community Center provides after-school opportunities and summer day camp programs to area children and teenagers.
“Through Sharing the Dream 2010, Citizens Energy Group is proud to continue our tradition of honoring Dr. King and his tremendous service to humanity by supporting the renovations at Martin Luther King Park and Pride Park,” said Carey Lykins, president and CEO of Citizens Energy Group. “We are privileged to work with Indy Parks while reinforcing our commitment to neighborhood redevelopment and enhancing the quality of life in our community.”
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, Citizens Energy Group volunteers will paint, clean and undertake other projects at the Martin Luther King Park pool bathhouse. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, Citizens Energy Group volunteers will perform a second Day of Sharing at Pride Park Community Center. About 200 Citizens Energy Group employee volunteers are expected to participate during their regular working hours on Thursday and Friday. On Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Mr. Lykins and other dignitaries will serve refreshments to area residents at open houses at each facility.
“This partnership highlights the heart and passion Citizens Energy Group’s employees bring to our neighborhoods,” said Indy Parks Director Stuart Lowry. “I can think of no better canvas for this year’s Sharing the Dream project than Martin Luther King Park, which honors the past with a wonderful memorial to Dr. King while serving the neighborhood today with great amenities, including our pool. We are extremely grateful for Citizens Energy Group’s gift of time and talent for this vital green footprint and look forward to sharing the upgrades with our patrons.”
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Thursday, January 14, 2010
WHAT: Citizens Energy Group Sharing the Dream 2010 Employee Volunteer Day of Service
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010
WHERE: Martin Luther King Park Pool Bathhouse, 1702 N. Broadway St.
Friday, January 15, 2010
WHAT: Citizens Energy Group Sharing the Dream 2010 Employee Volunteer Day of Service
WHEN: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2010
WHERE: Pride Park Community Center, 1129 S. Vandeman St.
Monday, January 18, 2010
WHAT: Citizens Energy Group Sharing the Dream 2010 Open House
WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 18, 2010
WHERE: Martin Luther King Park Pool Bathhouse, 1702 N. Broadway St., and Pride Park Community Center, 1129 S. Vandeman St.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jan. 14 and 15 are employee days of service at the respective parks. Most of the work requiring skilled craftsmen will be completed prior to the employee days of service. This includes roofing work, floor and ceiling painting, electrical installation, and other contracted construction.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group is a Public Charitable Trust providing safe and reliable energy services to more than 266,000 customers in and around Marion County. The Public Charitable Trust means the utility is managed only for the benefit of customers and the community. Additional information is available online at www.citizensenergygroup.com and www.citizensgas.com.
About Indy Parks & Recreation
The mission of Indy Parks & Recreation is to create fun, safe, engaging and sustainable parks that enhance the quality of life for individuals, neighborhoods and communities. Indy Parks will be a national model of excellence and destination for facilities and programs, protecting parks, greenways and open spaces and championing environmental initiatives. For more information, visit www.indyparks.org.