A $2 million donation from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation has helped Kids, Incorporated’s Rockrose Sports Park initiative surpass a key fundraising milestone — activating a $1.5 million matching grant from the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation and moving the project nearer to starting construction.
The contribution, revealed on Monday, July 28, will aid the park’s multi-functional space, which will now be called the Engler Foundation. The building will assist thousands of young athletes throughout the Texas Panhandle and is anticipated to make Amarillo a hub for regional sporting events.
This present is life-changing — not only in my career, but also in my personal life,” said Jimmy R. Lackey, president and CEO of Kids, Inc. “Mr. Engler and my father were acquaintances in Dumas. Witnessing his family support the next generation through this initiative — and within this community — holds immense significance for me.
The contribution from the Engler Foundation increased the campaign’s total to more than $26.2 million, exceeding the $24 million goal required to unlock a $1.5 million grant from the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation. The combined $3.5 million increase represents the biggest single jump in fundraising since the campaign began.
Angela Lust, who serves as the executive director of the Engler Foundation, stated that the choice to back the project was based on its extensive and long-term effect on the community.
This was a straightforward choice,” Lust stated. “This facility is not only for Amarillo — it will benefit the entire Panhandle. It fits perfectly with our goal to promote education, business development, and fundamental human necessities.
A legacy fulfilled
For Sara Cady, a member of the Engler Foundation’s board and the daughter of Paul Engler, this donation marks a very meaningful occasion.
My father placed great importance on the Texas Panhandle,” Cady said. “To make this donation so soonafter his passing— and to support something that will positively impact countless generations of children and families — holds immense significance for our family.”
She remembered that her father frequently mentioned his most significant legacy would not be measured in business assets or financial markets, but rather “in the lives of young people who are enabled to lead, innovate, and contribute.”
This present celebrates that heritage,” she stated. “It honors him.
From vision to reality
The blueprint for Rockrose Sports Park is rapidly coming together. The Amarillo City Council gave the final approval for the property’s annexation on June 25. The site layout has been sent for evaluation, and SW General Contractors is getting ready to start the bidding procedure in early August. Provided everything proceeds as scheduled, earthwork might commence by late September or early October.
When individuals observe the equipment on-site, their perspective shifts,” Lackey remarked. “It’s no longer just an idea — it has become tangible.
The facility will cover 36 acres and feature athletic fields for soccer, football, baseball, and softball. Additional plans include food services, restroom facilities, shaded areas, and over 1,600 parking spots.
It’s focused on accessibility,” Lackey stated. “Parents won’t need to travel between three different places. This is a facility designed for families — for children who can’t afford club sports, who simply want to discover if they enjoy soccer or football.
A proven model
The organization has observed the effects of comparable facilities in cities such as Hereford and Dalhart in Texas, as well as Elk City, Oklahoma, where Kids, Inc. oversees youth sports complexes.
Mayor Cathy Bunch of Hereford stated that the city’s newly opened baseball and softball facility, which launched earlier this year, has already increased local tax income and occupied hotels during competitions.
A $25,000 increase in sales tax was observed after a single tournament,” Bunch stated. “Hotels were completely occupied. Restaurants were filled to capacity. There were visitors from out of town everywhere you looked.
Bunch mentioned that the momentum is increasing, and she thinks Amarillo will see a comparable effect.
This form of investment changes communities,” she stated. “Hereford was worthy of it. So was Amarillo.
Looking ahead
Approximately $4 million still needs to be collected, but recent donations have significantly changed the direction of the campaign. Lackey stated that the group is now sure it can fill the remaining gap and start construction.
This present was the catalyst we required,” he stated. “It conveys a message to our supporters, to our city, and to our children: This is taking place. And it’s occurring because individuals have faith in the strength of community.
To find out more or get involved with the initiative, visitwww.kidsinc.org.
This piece first was published in the Amarillo Globe-News:Engler Foundation contributes $2 million to the Kids Inc. Rockrose Sports Park initiative
