Richards Athletic Court Fundraising Has Begun!

The backyard of Richards School is in significant need of improvement.  The existing tennis court space is used for recess -- yet the space is riddled with cracks, making playing at recess a challenge and playing tennis an impossibility.  Additionally, the basketball hoops are too high for young students, the jungle gym can be over-crowded, space of individual ball play does not exist, and there is little shade on hot days.  Whitefish Bay School District leadership has determined that a two-phased plan is best to address all these these concerns and more.  Now we need funds to make this plan a reality.

Phase 1 is to replace the deteriorating tennis courts with the Richards Athletic Court (RAC).  The RAC will contain a vastly improved flat surface area with three tennis courts (with removable posts and nets so the space is usable by students year-round), three half-court basketball courts (with hoops at varied heights to accommodate more kids), several foursquare and hopscotch grids, and multiple backboards for kids to throw or kick balls against.  Details of the plan can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/richardsathleticcourt.  Once the RAC is completed, Phase 2 will focus on improving the existing playground equipment in the backyard of Richards. 

On January 8th, the Whitefish Bay School Board pledged $30,000 to the RAC plan and indicated that they may be willing to allocate more funds to the project in the near future.  The school district is also going to fund a backyard water fountain and shade trees this spring. The total price tag of Phase 1 is $255,000.  We are fundraising to help fill the remaining $225,000 need. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation – and applying for an employer match if offered – toward improving the backyard of Richards School.  With your help, we can restore the space to its fullest educational and recreational greatness.

Checks should be made payable to The School District of Whitefish Bay with “Richards Athletic Court” in the memo line.  Please mail your donation today to:

School District of Whitefish Bay Business Office
Attention:  District Accountant – Penny Little
1200 East Fairmount Ave
Whitefish Bay, WI  53217

For additional information, contact Committee Co-Chairs:  Carol Fairborn (414) 241-4086 and Leah Schneider (414) 559-4397