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The township applied for funding under the PHFoundation’s adolescent health RFP. The foundation sought applications focused on programs and resources that promoted healthy adolescent behavior through the adoption of and/or access to community health, wellness, and prevention services.
During the past summer, the foundation earmarked up to $100,000 for applications that came in under this adolescent health RFP. Many adolescents face daily oppression from such issues as obesity, bullying, or low self-esteem, which can potentially have harmful effects on their emotional and/or physical wellbeing. The foundation recognizes that through the adoption of healthy behaviors, such as access to recreational activities, many adolescents can overcome some of these difficult issues.
In order to offer resources that promote healthy behavior, the Portage Township is in the midst of laying a new concrete surface at the Dodgeville ice rink. Once complete, the facility will offer many recreational and social opportunities for area youth and residents beyond its traditional use as a winter skating facility.
According to Bruce Petersen, supervisor of Portage Township, “With this generous Portage Health Foundation grant, this new flat cement surface will allow for even more year-around public usage of the rink and the park in general. The summer usage options, which could not be done at all in the past, could include activities like family reunions, in-line skating, roller skating, skate boarding, flea markets, bicycling, and any other sort of large social get-togethers. Additionally, the rink will be more effectively used for winter skating activities. Over the past few winters it has almost been unusable due to the frost-heaved old asphaltic surface.”
According to Kevin Store, Executive Director of the Portage Health Foundation, “We are thrilled to be providing Portage Township with this grant. We value and recognize that the Dodgeville ice rink is a focal point for the community. By investing in this project, we are also investing in healthy activities for adolescents as well as individuals of all ages.”
Additional organizations that have contributed time and resources to making this project a success include John Coponen Contracting, Somero Enterprises, Great Lakes Mineral Works, LLC (Moyle), Superior Block, Michigan Technological University, and Portage Township Public Works.
The Portage Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives and contributes charitable donations, which support the health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties.
