Welcome to the Grace&Truth SportsPark

Dear Park Sponsors, Supporters & Friends,

It has been four years since I assumed the Park director’s position. As this year progressed, and the Lord provided me with a project management position at ITT - less than five miles from my house no less - it became increasingly obvious that a change was necessary. In September, Graham Cresswell agreed to assume the role I needed to vacate. The Park deserves someone whose primary focus is its care and feeding. I could no longer provide that. Graham, by his own admission and actions, has a passion for this ministry. Please give him your prayer, financial and personal support as he makes the transition into this new responsibility.

Here are some significant facts-n-figures from this past season:

• As has been the case in recent years, tens of thousands visited the Park during the course of our season which runs from mid-April to the end of October.
• More than 950 different events/games were hosted. This represents 40% growth over 2006-07. The bulk of this increase was due to all baseball/softball activities (270) taking place at the Park this season.
• All fields were utilized and our makeshift concessions stand for baseball provided much needed income.
• We brought in approximately $38,000 in field reimbursement fees, an all time high, and the second year in a row we have set a new high water mark in that area.
• A new crochet and bocce area was developed with the financial support of Norm Pike along with the sweat of his brow.
• Attendance at our 7th Annual Spirit of America Celebration was at an all-time high, as we were blessed with nearly ideal weather conditions. Overflow parking occurred at 990 Manitou Road, the site of our new church facilities.
• Summer’s Best Days, two 1-week programs ministering to inner-city youth, attracted 160 children this past August.
• A two-loop cross country course was laid out along the Park’s perimeter and was utilized by Northstar Christian Academy, and several other schools, for the first time this fall.
• Military Days continue to be a staple, as we hosted both the 98th Army Division (August) and the 4th Division of the Marine Corps (September) again this year.
• The 13th Annual Run for Hospice attracted nearly 1,000 participants in the 5K and 10 mile road races.
• Capital improvements continued as resources were available to make them happen. A building permit for the construction of our new baseball quad concession pavilion/facility was granted in July.

Over the four year period during which I had the privilege to be director, WE were able to underrun the combined budgets established by a total of $132,000. The “savings” was reinvested back into the Park to continue to develop and fine tune its operation. Marilyn appreciates those of you who have assisted her with the concessions operations. I suspect you will see me behind the grill more in 2009 now that I have stepped down from the Park leadership role.

In His Service,

Bob Dyjak
Former Director, Grace&Truth SportsPark
Contact the new Director

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