February 25, 2011

Concordia University is a great partner to the Northeast Portland community it's a part of. For example, the recently-opened George R. White Library & Learning Center is a 74,000-square foot, LEED Gold certified building - and neighbors are welcome to free library cards. Yesterday, the school broke ground on another remarkable project that will also be a boon to the neighborhood.

Nick was very proud to be part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the state-of-the-art "Concordia University & Community Athletic Complex," a $7.5 million dollar project that will finally give the Concordia Cavaliers a home field for soccer and baseball.

More than that, though, the field will be used by all kinds of community groups. It will serve as a home field for Central Catholic's baseball team and for the Alameda/Northeast United soccer club, and be open to other community groups as well - the Special Olympics, neighboring Faubion School, and others. More than 1,000 kids will be able to attend summer camp on the first-rate field each year.

Partnerships with Nike and other private and corporate donors have raised $6.5 million so far - community contributions are expected to close the gap.

Congratulations to President Charles Schlimpert for the amazing growth Concordia has achieved of the last decade - enrollment has more than doubled, and new buildings dot the campus - Concordia has achieved, and congratulations to all the partners who have come together to bring this athletic complex to life.

Read more at bringtheteamshome.com

See photos from the groundbreaking

Thanks to Concordia for sharing these great photos from yesterday's event!