FirstOak Bank was honored Wednesday as Independence Community College and the Foundation announced the Field House NEXT Project.
“Today we announce this exciting initiative and thank FirstOak Bank and the Oakes Family for helping us launch this important project,” College President Dr. Vincent Bowhay said during the halftime presentation. “FirstOak Bank’s leadership gift and the Field House NEXT Campaign serves to kick off a $1.5 million update of the facility. It is the first major renovation in over 25 years of the field house.”
“Independence is home to FirstOak Bank,” Brad Oakes, bank president, said. “We are grateful to the families and businesses we have worked with for over 20 years as we have partnered with them to build stronger and more vibrant communities. We are also proud to make this investment in the life of our college and our city.”
The rehabilitation of the field house will include a new court, bleachers, lighting, and other improvements to the interior gymnasium. The men’s and women’s locker rooms, athletic training room and the lobby are slated to be updated once funds have been raised. The last major renovation of the field house occurred in 1987.
“’The FirstOak Bank & Oakes Family Field House at Independence Community College speaks to the value and importance the Oakes Family places in our college,” Corey Hugo, ICC Foundation Board President said. “The College helps train the local and regional workforce, helps students earn certifications and degrees to start careers, is a major economic driver, and serves as a anchor of community life. Words are not sufficient to express our gratitude to the Oakes Family for making this leadership gift to launch this initiative.”
According to ICC Foundation Executive Director Bryce Saia the project has benefited from several donors. “We have secured several gifts to help us reach today. Donors to this project can make pledges over a five-year period and can utilize different gift giving vehicles – gifts of cash, securities, IRA distributions and more. The involvement of alumni and friends is important as we move forward.”