MARION -- The Marion Chamber of Commerce has announced that the 2018 Business/Industry of the Year is the Marion Park District.
In the past year, the Marion Park District completed the Pharaoh's Way Disc Golf Course, a nationally recognized 36-pin disc golf course designed by David McCormack of Gateway Disc Sports; renovated the Fosse Park Ballfield complex, including installing three new portable pitching mounds; and oversaw the construction of the inclusive playground in Ray Fosse Park.
"The award is appreciated as recognition of a job well done," said Jack Reed, director of parks and recreation with the park district.
The district's mission is to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhances the quality of life for the people of the Marion Park District. The Marion Chamber recognizes the Marion Park District for their work in making that mission a reality.
"I rewrote our mission statement four years ago and use it daily as our game plan," Reed said. "The capital projects initiative started in the fall of 2016 and culminated with the creation of the Heartland Regional Medical Center Inclusive Playground, but many new venues and renovations have taken place in that time. I am thrilled to have been a part of those."
The park district's success is due to the collaborative effort of many people, including aquatic center and park services staff and management; board members, including President Ashley Gott, Treasurer Chris Sheffler, Vice President Hayden Gardiner, and Commissioners Dave McReynolds and Heath Welch; and community partners, including the Harrison-Bruce Foundation, Heartland Regional Medical Center, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 318, Clark Natural Stone, Doggie Stylez, Jerald Kobler Backhoe, Evrard Company, SpecCon Concrete Construction, Clarida-Ziegler Engineering and Wesley's Custom Graphics.
2018 has been "arguably the best year in the history of the Marion Park District," Reed said. "Our donors and grantors have allowed the Park District to turn $490,000 in capital funds into approximately $1 million worth of updates, improvements and creation of new venues."
Past winners of the Marion Chamber of Commerce's Business/Industry of the Year Award can be found at marionillinois.com/award-winners. They include Ike Family Dealerships in 2015, Hospice of Southern Illinois in 2016 and Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in 2017.
"When looking at the list of former recipients of this award, I am blown away by the accomplishments of the Park District Board and staff compared with much larger organizations," Reed said. "We are a very small local government entity. It is truly an honor to be in the same company as the previous award winners."
The Marion chamber will present the award to the park district at the 98th annual Awards Banquet & Auction on Jan. 18 at The Pavilion. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person or $400 per table (seats 8) and are available by calling the Marion Chamber of Commerce at 618.997.6311, visiting marionillinois.com or emailing director@marionillinois.com.
"More than 500 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature a social hour, silent auction, wine/spirit pull, Diamond Drop, great food and networking, all centered around honoring our award winners, especially the Business/Industry of the Year winner -- the Marion Park District," said Karen Mullins, executive director of the Marion Chamber of Commerce.
"I look forward to honoring the Marion Park District not only because of the wonderful support they give to the Chamber, but also to the region as a whole," she said. "Parks and recreation services are often cited as one of the most important factors when choosing a community in which to live and work, and the Marion Park District helps make Marion the Hub of the Universe."
