PORTLAND – Timbers owner and president Merritt Paulson presented an oversized $20,000 check on Monday to Concordia University in Northeast Portland for its new athletic complex development.
The contribution, and others like it, is something that Paulson believes strongly in. The Timbers will give away as much as $150,000 this year to local non-profit youth-focused organizations. Monday’s donation was the largest for the team so far in 2011.
“As a professional sports organization, it is mission critical for us to give back to the community,” Paulson said. “We are tremendously committed to it.”
That aim is certainly made easier by the fact that there has been a groundswell of support for the Timbers in Portland since the team debuted in MLS in March. The team has played to sold-out crowds at JELD-WEN since its home opener on April 14.
In partnership with the City of Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation, the Timbers made the donation as part of the club’s field grant program. The club contributes $50,000 annually to support community field development and youth programming in the Portland area.
The $7.5 million complex, which will also be available for use by Northeast United/Alameda Soccer Club, will provide a new permanent home for the NAIA school’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, and its baseball team. Construction on the facility began in February and is slated for completion in the fall.
“This Timbers field grant is a substantial boost to the construction of the complex and for youth athletic programs that will benefit all of Northeast Portland,” Concordia Executive Vice President Gary Withers said.
For more information on the new complex, visit www.bringtheteamshome.com.
