Bengals, NFL Grant $200K For Three Rivers Field

By Mike Perleberg

(Cleves, Oh.) - The Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL are helping out a local school district’s efforts to build new athletic fields.

The new $63 million Three Rivers Educational Campus on Cooper Avenue in Cleves will welcome students for the first time on September 9. However, many sports teams at the school will still need an adequate place to play and practice. Outside of a gymnasium and soccer field, the school needs new athletic facilities.

On Friday, the Bengals and the NFL Grassroots program announced a $200,000 grant for the school district. The funds will be used to install a new, artificial field turf playing surface that can be used by the football team, soccer team, marching band, and others.

Unlike natural grass which can get worn and muddy, artificial turf can be used on an almost unlimited basis.

The grant was awarded Friday prior to the Taylor Yellow Jackets home football game – held on the old field at the now closed Taylor High School on Harrison Avenue – against Lawrenceburg. Cincinnati Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn, Director of Development Bob Bedinghaus, and representatives from Three Rivers Schools’ “Fields of Dreams” campaign were there for the check presentation.

“We are very excited to play a role in this project. Several years ago, Three Rivers Schools embarked on a bold vision and together with the Fields of Dreams campaign, they have brought to this community something special,” Blackburn said in a news release.

The school district’s “Fields of Dreams” campaign has also raised $360,000 towards the remaining costs of installing the synthetic turf field. Construction is expected to start next Spring.

Three Rivers Schools Superintendent Rhonda Bohannon called Friday’s grant announcement a great day for the school corporation.  

“What a gift. We would like to thank the NFL, the Bengals, and (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) for this grant. With the help of this NFL grant and Fields of Dreams donations, our community can build a world-class stadium at the Three Rivers Educational Campus. When you dream big, see what can happen,” said Bohannon.

Soon, the new Three Rivers field will soon be among the 170 football fields across the country which the NFL Grassroots Program has helped construct or renovate over the past decade.

LINKS:

Three Rivers Educational Campus “Place To Bee”