Rec board rebrands

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Newcastle Recreation Board has refocused in recent years, working to promote itself and positive activities in the community, according to a report provided by board members to the Newcastle City Council on Oct. 4. 
Last year, according to the board’s president, Anthony Sandoval, the group provided funds to over 14 different nonprofits, providing a total of $39,700. This funding included helping the summer rec basketball program, the first annual Sources of Strength color run, post prom and the Weston County Junior Rodeo, as well as programs such as Fall Guys wrestling and Stingrays swimming. 
In 2020, the group helped seven nonprofits for a total of $26,750. 
Funding for the rec board comes from city 1% revenue, Sandoval later told the News Letter Journal. 
“We have been trying to get our purpose out there to other groups,” Sandoval said to the council. 
The purpose, he later told the News Letter Journal, is to assist in funding local nonprofit organizations that bring recreational activities to the community. 
In addition to providing one-time funding to a nonprofit, the group has created a sponsorship for events to help put its name out there more. 
“To go above and beyond, directly to the nonprofits, we can vote on an additional $3,000,” Sandoval told the council, noting that this would be considered a sponsorship for the event. 
“That’s where the banners come in,” he said. “They hang it up, and we get our name out there. We are growing and we are excited to see what is going to progress with our name out there more.” 
While the board does provide funding to nonprofits, Sandoval explained that there is a prerequisite to receiving funding. The group requesting funding must have 10% of the requested amount, he said. 
“We are not just giving them money. They have to show us they can get their own money first,” Sandoval said. “We go above that.” 
He noted that the rec board has also required that some boards restructure their boards before receiving funds. 
“There were a few nonprofits in our town that we asked them to switch up board members before we gave them money,” Sandoval said. “We found a few boards with related people on seats in the board.”
He said that those boards were told they needed to fix that before they could receive money. 
“We are trying to clean things up, get things better, looking for a brighter future,” he added. “Hope for a stronger 2022.”