CHEROKEE, Iowa — Cherokee Regional Medical Center and the Cherokee Community School District are proud to announce the public phase of a collaborative fundraising campaign to build a new approximately 2.4 million tennis and pickleball complex that will serve students, residents, and visitors for generations to come. The two organizations have combined for an investment of up to $1.7 million to ignite the campaign.
"Maintaining a strong tennis program is important to our school district and that starts with having courts that meet the needs of our students,” says Cherokee Community School District Superintendent Jeff Siebersma. “This project allows us to preserve and grow the opportunities available to our student athletes while creating a facility the entire community can enjoy. We're grateful for the partnership with Cherokee Regional Medical Center and everyone who is helping make this vision a reality."
The project reflects a shared vision of promoting health, wellness, recreation, and community engagement through a state-of-the-art outdoor facility. Thanks to the generosity of early donors including Cherokee State Bank, the Erlandson Foundation, North Star Community Credit Union, the City of Cherokee, the Cherokee County Board of Supervisors, and Central Bank, more than $2.0 million has already been pledged, leaving the final phase of fundraising in the hands of the community. The two organizations are now inviting individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to help raise the remaining funds needed to bring the project to completion.
"This complex represents what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision," said Gary Jordan, CEO of Cherokee Regional Medical Center. "We're incredibly grateful to those who have already invested in this project. Their generosity has brought us within reach of our goal, and now we're asking the community to help us cross the finish line."
Designed for both competitive play and everyday recreation, the new complex will feature:
The complex will provide Cherokee students with a safe, modern home for their tennis program while creating a year-round destination where residents of all ages can enjoy one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. It is expected to attract tournaments and visitors to the community while encouraging tourism, active lifestyles, and social connection.
“This project is vitally important to the high school tennis program in Cherokee,” says Dave Zelle, boys tennis coach at Cherokee Washington High School. “Last year, nearly 50 CWHS students and several CMS students participated in the tennis programs, and the courts we use have deteriorated to the point of being unsafe. This project will enable our programs to move forward, while greatly enhancing the availability of courts for use by the burgeoning numbers of pickleball players in the area. Having lights at the facility to enable play into the evening hours in the spring and fall will also be a boon to the usage of the courts by the public, as well as allowing high school meets to finish up when daylight is waning.”
Every donation, regardless of size, will help complete this transformational project and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Various donor recognition options are available.
The public is encouraged to join the campaign and help complete a facility that will strengthen Cherokee for decades to come. Donations can be made online here or by contacting Kent Lundquist with the Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation at 712-225-3368 ext. 2202.
About Cherokee Regional Medical Center
A leader in rural healthcare for over 100 years, Cherokee Regional Medical Center (Cherokee Regional) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit health care organization with a mission to provide seamless, quality health care services to its communities. Services include a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital; 24-hour Emergency Medical Services; Ambulance services; regional medical clinics in Cherokee, Aurelia, Holstein, Marcus, Sutherland, and Primghar; The Beck, a 32-unit independent senior living complex; Cherokee Regional Home Health; Cherokee Regional Hospice; retail pharmacies in Cherokee and Holstein; Cherokee County Public Health; and the Cherokee Fitness Center. Cherokee Regional is your place for exceptional care. For more information, visit www.cherokeermc.org.
About Cherokee Community School District
The mission of Cherokee Community School District is with community involvement; we will empower learners to become contributing members to our changing world. For more information, visit ccsd.k12.ia.us.
About Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation
The Cherokee Regional Medical Center Foundation was established in 2007 as the philanthropic arm of Cherokee Regional Medical Center. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance relationships to inspire giving for a positive impact in our communities.
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