With the help of a generous donation from the Mary Rutan Foundation, the Indian Lake Athletic Department will soon begin updating and lightly renovating its weight room and training facility. Representatives from the Mary Rutan Foundation recently presented a $35,000 check to school officials. This donation will be combined with approximately $10,000 that students collected during a fundraiser earlier in the year. The money will be used to remodel the weight room and replace equipment with brand new machines. Equipment to aide in the rehabilitation of injured players will also be added to the training facility.
Indian Lake Athletic Director Jeff Courter said, “We are blessed to have the help of the Mary Rutan Foundation on this project. By updating our facilities we hope to be able to build stronger, healthier athletes and be better able to assist those who do get injured.”
"Mary Rutan Foundation is committed to the health and wellness of the youth of Logan County and is a proud supporter of the Indian Lake School District. This contribution will allow the most optimal weight and training room for student athletes. Providing a facility conducive for coaching staff and the athletic trainer to work with athletes to condition, strengthen and provide therapies and rehabilitation services should an athlete become injured is vital,” said Tammy Allison, Chief Operating Officer of Mary Rutan Foundation and Hospital VP of Community Relations.
In April, the Indian Lake Board of Education voted to contract with Mary Rutan Hospital for full time athletic trainer services at no cost to the district beginning in the 2015-16 school year.
"We are excited to continue this relationship for the 2015/2016 school year, providing full time coverage for Indian Lake student athletes by one of our certified and licensed athletic trainers, as well as access to sports medicine, concussion clinic and therapy services for the safety and wellness of the athletes,” states Mrs. Allison.
Indian Lake Superintendent Pat O’Donnell said, “We are proud to partner with our local hospital to provide these essential services to our student athletes. Furthermore, we are thankful that the Mary Rutan Foundation recognizes the need we have in our training rooms and is helping to improve our facilities.”
Over the next few weeks, equipment from the weight room will be moved from the high school to create a small work out area at the middle school. The high school weight room will then get a new coat of paint, flooring and all new equipment. The goal is for the entire project to be complete in time for the summer sports training season.