“This is really the culmination of years of effort, and exemplary of our fantastic community. No one person is responsible for this, it really is an achievement of everyone coming together to make this happen,” said Salem Rotary Club President William Dawes.
The work to bring the Salem Rotary Family Sports Center to the community at Waterworth Memorial Park, adjacent to the recently installed storybook trail near the rear of the community center, began in 2021 as part of the Rotary Club’s Centennial Celebration, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic sent shockwaves rippling around the world. Stalwart as ever in their mission to enact change for the better within their community and beyond, the Rotary Club of Salem began what would become a three-year project which raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to create a beautiful new hub for recreation and physical wellness in Salem.
Project Chairman Dr. Peter Apicella said that when the time came to decide on what project should be pursued in honor of the club’s 100th anniversary, the members “reviewed all the possible projects they could do,” and that the option of a playground and athletic center “really stuck out to all of us.”
“We’re so excited to have it ready for the community to enjoy,” said Apicella.
The Rotary Club of Salem described the Family Sports Center as “a multi-generational, multi-functional family gathering place to socialize, practice sporting skills and stay fit.” An apt description for a facility that boasts a central gazebo-style pavilion, a large children’s playground, a practice soccer field, sand and grass volleyball courts, a cross-fit area, two batting cages, two golf cages, spacious grass areas, and handicap accessibility to ensure all members of the community can enjoy this incredible gift.
Apicella said that once the project had been decided upon and the funds raised, a committee of all Salem Rotary’s donor members, and those with athletic and fitness backgrounds or knowledge, was assembled to determine what equipment would best serve the needs of the community.
“We wanted to pick things that we felt the community was in need of. We’ve all lived here, we all have families here, and we all knew the things that we felt the community would benefit from increased access to,” said Apicella.
In a press release, Salem Rotary expressed its gratitude for “our Rotarians and the community members who have given generously to make this possible.”
Salem Rotary and all its members were proud to see the Sports Center opened and already in use by the public.
“Seeing children play in, and use the space this weekend was wonderful, it really brought back memories of my own young kids, and bringing them to the parks to play,” said Apicella.
Since its founding Apr. 27, 1921, the Rotary Club, and Rotarians who take well-earned pride in their membership, have held true to their motto of “Service Above Self,” with a focus in their charitable efforts toward supporting the children of their community. This support is exemplified not only by this most recent gift, but past gifts to the Salem Parks Department of including a baseball field and the founding and ongoing support of the Rotary Foreign Exchange program in Salem’s schools. However, Salem Rotary’s prolific philanthropy has extended beyond its own community as a charter member of the organization which would become Easterseals, the founding of a new Boy Scout camp, medical assistance to children suffering from polio, assistance in the development and formation of the Rotary Clubs of Columbiana in 1923 and Sebring in 1925, and support of the Military Family Veterans Center in Louisville and GiGi’s Playhouse in Canton; and even internationally with donations in support of projects in several foreign countries.
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