State grant could aid girls’ locker room efforts at Hamilton Ice Arena

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is announcing a campaign to raise money for girls locker rooms at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena in Columbus.

According to the state agency, the project will receive a matching grant from the agency’s CreatINg Place’s program if the community raises $50,000 for the project by Sept. 13th. The goal is to provide a dedicated locker room with restrooms, showers, benches and other amenities. Organizers say that if the space is not being used as a locker room, it will also be available for event and tutoring space.

Carleen Fry, manager of the Columbus Parks facility said that currently, girls must get changed in bathrooms or equipment rooms. At times, there are so many trying to get changed that they have to take turns. Fry said “This project will directly address this challenge and provide our girls the space they need.”

The campaign is being organized locally through the Columbus Park Foundation. You can get more information at https://www.columbusparkfoundation.org