“Independence Community College is proud to announce that Labette Health is a partner in the renovation of the College Fieldhouse,” College President Dr. Vincent Bowhay said on Tuesday. “Thanks to their leadership gift the athletic training area in the facility will be updated.”
“The College and city are fortunate to have Labette Health investing in Independence, and making quality care available here,” said Bowhay. As the medical provider of Independence, and southeast Kansas, Labette Health provides emergency care, family medicine and express care, internal medicine and pediatrics, women and children’s care, dermatology, general surgery, and urology as part of Labette Health’s Independence Healthcare Center at 510 N. Peter Pan Road. Labette Health also operates the Community College’s student health clinic.
“Labette Health is committed to the health and well-being of the people of Independence and the region, and we are excited about our upcoming expansion of Independence Healthcare Center,” President & CEO Brian Williams said. “Just as we are an important community anchor, so is ICC. We are pleased to help advance the health of student-athletes with the Field House NEXT Project.”
The Field House NEXT Project was announced by the College and Foundation in April. “With Labette Health’s announcement we have crossed the $600,000 mark,” Foundation Executive Director Bryce Saia said.
The rehabilitation of the field house includes 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.
According to Saia, the project has benefited from several significant donors. “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.”